I came to the U.S in 1994 on a 6 months visa which I overstayed my visa and got married to a U>S Citizen in July 2000, we went for the first interview and I got my Permanent Residency Card shortly there after, the card was good until March 2002, in Nov 2001, the INS officers came to check out our marrige, since they had gotten a tip that it was a "marrige sham", we didn't live together at the time and the only way out of it for my wife was for her to sign a piece of paper telling them that it was a faked marrige, because we both are gay, INS insured that nothing else would come out of it and everything went on as usual, she did divorce me though, I stayed and worked as usual until Dec 26th, 2006, when I was greated by 2 INS officers in my building where I live, they handcuffed me, took me away to book me and I was charged under Section 237 (a) (1) (B), Section 237 (a) (1) (G) (ii), Section 216 or 216A . The officer that booked me set a bond of $15,000 right away, I was blessed enough that my sister that lives back home in Europe was able to get a 2nd Mortgage on her house so I could be bailed out. My sister sent all of the money with western Union and then a friend of mine got the money here and went and paid it by Money Order and I was bailed outon a "Delivery Bond. I had my first court hearing at the end of Jan 2007, I appeared and I asked for a continuence since I had not been able to find a lawyer to help me, (totally broke!), and at the hearing I was told by the INS defense attorney that some of the charges against me had been "stricken", (all of the Section 237 charges) so I am only charged with the fact that my Conditional Residence Status was terminated on Jan 9, 2004. And I got a continuence for 7 months. I was so happy! But in Feb I was in and out of the hospital and was diagnosed with tumors in my whole stomach, my relationship ended as well, and since I don't work I can't support myself anymore. So I went back to the Immigration Judge and begged for a date so I can go home and leave America even though I really don't want to, got a courtdate on April 10th and I am planning to ask for "Voluntary Departure" which makes me so sad since I have always been fighting for what I beleive is right! What other options do I have? BUT my main concern is that my "friend" that bailed me out with my sisters money has told me that he will keep the $15,000 that was posted to bail me out, since I will already be long gone and not able to track him down once I leave the country. I feel really bad for my siater for loosing the money and would do ANYTHING for her to get it back. Is there ANYTHING I can do about it while I am still in this country? I mean I have all of the Receipts of the money Orders that proofs that SHE did send him the money and I have the original bond papers from the Immigration Office shows proof that I was bailed out and it has the Money Orders # ETC ETC. Is there anyway he can sign over it to someone else, like my Embassy or so? or can I write a contract and have him sign it? Or is it too late for me to ask for my bond to be lowered? (maybe I can save my sister some money) Please if YOU have any advice whatsoever, let me know, if not for me, I am thinking about my sister and her kids that helped me while I was in a real need!
And in a matter to my "Immigration Status" and being here illegally and not knowing, what would be the best advice for me to do now? If I really want to stay here and hopefully one day experience "The American Dream"!
Thanx all!
And in a matter to my "Immigration Status" and being here illegally and not knowing, what would be the best advice for me to do now? If I really want to stay here and hopefully one day experience "The American Dream"!
Thanx all!