Okay so I went to go see an immigration lawyer today about my status. I am 26 have been here since I was 7 with a mom that is a permanent resident but married to another man who she is now separated with and a dad who is a citizen they have never been married. To complicate my situation I also arrived here at 7 with the wrong birth year 1986 when its actually 1983. The lawyer was visible upset as I have been all these years with my parents just lack or priorities when it comes to my status. My mom filed for her naturalization in 1997-98 when she received approval I did not get anything and we wrote to i.n.s and they wanted her to bring compies of the i485 and i113 as well as proof that the money orders used to pay form fees were cashed. He told me he could begin my process after I pay the initial amount and file for me under my mom's permanent resident status and that will in turn put me on a line that is backed up 8 years. And that there is a good chance if i can also prove that the paperwork was filed for me I would not have to return to sierra leone during this time. I can't even tell you how devastating this news is and I haven't completely even allowed myself to deal with what that means for me and my future.
My concerns now as Im slowly thinking about it is what I need answers to from anyone who can answer them.
First is there a way at all to get copies of paperwork from i.n.s now ucis?
If I am not able to to provide this information to the lawyer is there a good chance I would have to return to Africa during the 8 year process?
Also I have worked since I was 19 using my college i.d and a ss card that my mom had "cleaned" where the ins approval notice was taken off will that cause delays,denial of my paperwork when filed?
I have always paid taxes have never been arrested or in any trouble I am not married nor plan to for naturalization and I have no children nor plan to have any until I have my status legal.
The lawyer let me know about the cost of the petition if and when it comes up as well as the fine so I am aware of those. I was a bit in shock so I did not get to ask these questions. Panic has sort of struck me now and the next time I will see him will be in a month when I take in the fee to start the paperwork and I would like to know about these things.
Thanks for any help.
My concerns now as Im slowly thinking about it is what I need answers to from anyone who can answer them.
First is there a way at all to get copies of paperwork from i.n.s now ucis?
If I am not able to to provide this information to the lawyer is there a good chance I would have to return to Africa during the 8 year process?
Also I have worked since I was 19 using my college i.d and a ss card that my mom had "cleaned" where the ins approval notice was taken off will that cause delays,denial of my paperwork when filed?
I have always paid taxes have never been arrested or in any trouble I am not married nor plan to for naturalization and I have no children nor plan to have any until I have my status legal.
The lawyer let me know about the cost of the petition if and when it comes up as well as the fine so I am aware of those. I was a bit in shock so I did not get to ask these questions. Panic has sort of struck me now and the next time I will see him will be in a month when I take in the fee to start the paperwork and I would like to know about these things.
Thanks for any help.