In need of knowledgeable lawyer

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bella711

Registered Users (C)
Hi, Im writing thing half knowing the answer but I just wanted to be sure for peace of mind.
I was born in Sierra Leone West Africa and came to America on a visitor passport in 1990 at the age of 7. Nothing was done for me as far as naturalization. Unfortunately my parents are not very responsible people. My father is a citizen and became one way before I was 18 and did nothing to file for me.
My mother married a man for her greencard and I was included in the paperwork but when she received her green card back in 97/98 I did not get anything. It turns out the guy never signed the form to formally "adopt" me something to that effect. We wrote a letter to I.N.S at the time and they sent a letter back saying to bring the money order receipts for the forms that she paid for that would have included me and the signed forms from the man she married. Again my parents are not responsible and she never went. Years passed and she has no idea where the guy is and has no way of contacting him. She is going through the process of divorcing him now via lawyer so they did the whole ad in the paper thing so she can file for citizenship.
I am now 26 and needless to say have overstayed my visit. I also have been employed at several companies since the age of 18 using just a college id and a social security card. My father has come back in my life and offered to file for me but after researching online I can see the writing on the wall so to speak. Does it even make a difference for me at this point? Will I have to go back to Africa? I stayed illegally and worked illegally will I not be eligible for adjustment of status? I guess I just want to know and tell my parents because maybe to avoid there own guilt they dont believe me when I say that my situation is hopeless. They tell me since Ive been out of africa for nearly 20 years I wouldnt be sent back or all I would have to pay is a fee and it will only take a few months and ill get a work permit and a few years and get a greencard. I want to show them what they have done if in fact my situation is as dire as I think. Please help anyone.:(
 
Triple Citizen said:
If you file for AOS based on marriage to a US citizen, you will be eligible.
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Okay, well currently i am not engaged to someone and the idea of having to get married for a gc is not something i really want to do. However I am not getting any younger and I suppose I have to keep that as an option. But lets say I do wouldnt I have penalties for both overstaying and working illegally. I dont have any dependants that would suffer if I am deported or anything and I have read alot about that online.
 
bella711 said:
Hi, Im writing thing half knowing the answer but I just wanted to be sure for peace of mind.
I was born in Sierra Leone West Africa and came to America on a visitor passport in 1990 at the age of 7. Nothing was done for me as far as naturalization. Unfortunately my parents are not very responsible people. My father is a citizen and became one way before I was 18 and did nothing to file for me.
My mother married a man for her greencard and I was included in the paperwork but when she received her green card back in 97/98 I did not get anything. It turns out the guy never signed the form to formally "adopt" me something to that effect. We wrote a letter to I.N.S at the time and they sent a letter back saying to bring the money order receipts for the forms that she paid for that would have included me and the signed forms from the man she married. Again my parents are not responsible and she never went. Years passed and she has no idea where the guy is and has no way of contacting him. She is going through the process of divorcing him now via lawyer so they did the whole ad in the paper thing so she can file for citizenship.
I am now 26 and needless to say have overstayed my visit. I also have been employed at several companies since the age of 18 using just a college id and a social security card. My father has come back in my life and offered to file for me but after researching online I can see the writing on the wall so to speak. Does it even make a difference for me at this point? Will I have to go back to Africa? I stayed illegally and worked illegally will I not be eligible for adjustment of status? I guess I just want to know and tell my parents because maybe to avoid there own guilt they dont believe me when I say that my situation is hopeless. They tell me since Ive been out of africa for nearly 20 years I wouldnt be sent back or all I would have to pay is a fee and it will only take a few months and ill get a work permit and a few years and get a greencard. I want to show them what they have done if in fact my situation is as dire as I think. Please help anyone.:(
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In your situation I would recommend an initial phone consultation with a Good Immigration Attorney. There might be options like section 245i for you but should check first with an Attorney.

Here are a couple of reputed and fair Immigration Attorney's who might be able to assist.
1) Ron Gotcher
Telephones: 866-408-0318 (toll fee) - 818-990-4922 (regular)
Fax: 818-804-4074
http://imminfo.com/

2) Sheila Murthy
Murthy Law Firm
Phone 4 1 0 . 3 5 6 . 5 4 4 0
Fax 4 1 0 . 3 5 6 . 5 6 6 9
http://www.murthy.com/
 
bella711 said:
Hi, Im writing thing half knowing the answer but I just wanted to be sure for peace of mind.
I was born in Sierra Leone West Africa and came to America on a visitor passport in 1990 at the age of 7. Nothing was done for me as far as naturalization. Unfortunately my parents are not very responsible people. My father is a citizen and became one way before I was 18 and did nothing to file for me.
My mother married a man for her greencard and I was included in the paperwork but when she received her green card back in 97/98 I did not get anything. It turns out the guy never signed the form to formally "adopt" me something to that effect. We wrote a letter to I.N.S at the time and they sent a letter back saying to bring the money order receipts for the forms that she paid for that would have included me and the signed forms from the man she married. Again my parents are not responsible and she never went. Years passed and she has no idea where the guy is and has no way of contacting him. She is going through the process of divorcing him now via lawyer so they did the whole ad in the paper thing so she can file for citizenship.
I am now 26 and needless to say have overstayed my visit. I also have been employed at several companies since the age of 18 using just a college id and a social security card. My father has come back in my life and offered to file for me but after researching online I can see the writing on the wall so to speak. Does it even make a difference for me at this point? Will I have to go back to Africa? I stayed illegally and worked illegally will I not be eligible for adjustment of status? I guess I just want to know and tell my parents because maybe to avoid there own guilt they dont believe me when I say that my situation is hopeless. They tell me since Ive been out of africa for nearly 20 years I wouldnt be sent back or all I would have to pay is a fee and it will only take a few months and ill get a work permit and a few years and get a greencard. I want to show them what they have done if in fact my situation is as dire as I think. Please help anyone.:(
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I know somebody born/raised in canada whos mother was a us citizen but hadnt lived in the states in 40yrs.2 years ago,At the age of 26 she managed to get her GC or citizenship in a few months without setting foot in the usa!!

You shouldnt have a problem.Especially with a co operative father.
 
Since your father become a citizen before you were 18 you might already be a citizen sans the papers to prove it. Best thing you can do is consult a very knowledgeable lawyer like you say in your title. I don't think you will find one on these forums. Read about form N-600.
 
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Thanks jnj that is very encouraging.
I guess I will have to consult a lawyer and hope he/she can help me in my situation.

I think that I would have to have a green card already to qualify for citizenship through my dad or at least thats what I was told on here. But I will search for information on n-600 thanks for the suggestion.
 
First of all, I'm very sorry about your situation.

Did ANY papers were filed for you at all when your mom applied for her GC? I agree you want to talk to the GOOD lawyer. I'd advise Ron Gotcher as well. Moreover he has website http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/family-based-immigration/, where he gives free advises. I did get really good suggestions from him (but my situation was not nearly as complicated). Frankly I think you still want to do interview with the lawyer and tell ALL details and minor facts and hear the opinion.
 
I will check the copies of my mothers documents to see which forms were filed for me but as i understand it I was in the forms except her husband needed to sign one paper im not sure what it is called i guess to formally acknowledge his consent to file for me and that was the error with my papers is he didnt sign that form/forms. But obviously he signed the necessary forms for my mom.
 
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