It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Hey guys,

After the last circlejerk with USCIS, getting fired after my DACA expired, being called "a fucking unemployed immigrant," being unemployed for 6 months, and having to worry about my status every day since Trump took over, I have decided that it's probably time to move. Marriage is not an option since my current SO doesn't want to get married, and I don't want to waste time/effort trying to find someone else. I want my freedom by the end of 2018.

When DACA came around, I was excited, thinking that it would be enough for me to be able to work and drive, two luxuries I never had before, but now I realize that if my DACA expires again, I will be back to the shit I've been dealing with for the last 6 months. It's just endless limbo for me.

So, I am wondering if anybody here can point me to some resources for getting out of the US, without having to go "back" to a third world country. I have a bachelor's in engineer, with 3 years of work experience, and will have a masters pretty soon as well. I am thinking I could do an MBA in another country and try to find a job there when I graduate. OR I could directly get a job in another country OR move somewhere directly and figure out the job part later.

Does anyone have any advice on how to begin my search? Do you know of someone who has moved to another country? Does anyone know a really good lawyer that may be able to help? I would like to move to somewhere like Canada/Australia/New Zealand... honestly, Western Europe... any developed region of the world.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

What is your engineering field?

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Mechanical.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Mechcmanical will be a tough sell. There are many mechanical engineers everywhere and the competition is huge. There are many people with master's I and phds from the 3rd world waiting for their chance for a better life. I recommend to do the following, bust it out a few more years. Get a master's degree from the u.s and your chances will increase.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Well, That's why my Master's is in Data Analytics. I want to be able to leave once I finish the program. That way I could get a job in engineering OR data science.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

You are in good shape

I hear Australia is a good option. Also with you qualifications I am confident you should be able to find a job back home and save for a while before going somewhere else.

I would wait a few more years, life with DACA is not terrible.


I am from a similar background. I have a B.S in mechanical and a master's in mechanical and currently going for my master's in C.S

I feel leaving now is a bad idea. If you want a reset, move somewhere new within the states.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

People will probably call you crazy in these forums, but it's totally understandable. Sometimes happiness matters more.

Check your country's local embassy website. For my country, per example, the government has a website with loads of tips on people moving back. Things like taxes, jobs, documents to make sure you have ready before/after you arrive at your home country, etc. It's good to check these things.

Before leaving here, also make sure your taxes are done for the year you leave and get a "Sailing Permit" from the IRS. Make sure all your wages are accounted for on the IRS website, as this can probably count for your birth country's retirement program.

You have two big advantages: You know at least two languages and you will have a Master's in Engineering done in the US. I think, regardless of the type, these might be big advantages for you.

Choose a country that welcomes immigrants or where you are able to get a work permit based on your qualificaitons. New Zealand/Canada/Australia as you might know all have immigrant-friendly laws.

Hope that helps a bit and don't be ashamed to leave. There are opportunities mostly everywhere for those that are positive about it.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I am hoping to skip having to go to my "home" country since I've never been there before and I'm kind of scared of the place.

I'm going to look extensively at those three countries and see where I can likely end up.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

DACA life is not bad until USCIS doesn't renew your permit on time and you get terminated and have to dipped into savings for survival. This happened to me. I was terminated and unemployed for 1.5 months. Luckily my employer waited for me. However, 6 months is really a push. So i understand the OP.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I know I know, I was also nervous around renewal. It is just something we have to live with for now. The experience gained is not lost. Engineering is flexible, start a small business for when shit hits the fan. That is what I am looking into.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Totally reasonable to leave, I wish you the best of luck where you go and with your degrees and experience, I say you are solid.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I'd recommend you take the IELTS before leaving and get a permanent resident card prior to leaving.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I can understand your worries, I'm also thinking of leaving.

If possible, get a position before you leave, so you can have your visa situation straightened out and not be left stranded in your birth country. As you're doing your Masters in Data Analytics, you might be able to get a position with a U.S. company that will let you be a remote contractor. If you're willing to stay until your EAD expires, get a local position now, then ask them later to let you be remote. Being remote requires a certain degree of trust, so it'll be difficult to get such a position right after you got your degree. Best case scenario, you get it. Worst case scenario, they refuse and now you're looking for a position before you leave (but this time, you have experience).

Get your financial ducks in a row, and figure out how you're going to access your money while you're abroad. U.S. bank accounts will require a U.S. address, but they don't have to be your address, they can be a family member's or close friend who's willing to take the mail for you (which is almost never, with electronic statements). Charles Schwab has a very good checking account, there's no minimum balance, no foreign transaction fees, and they reimburse all ATM fees.

You may want to keep another account with a major bank that can do international wire transfers, but companies like TransferWise and HiFX will do the transfers for much cheaper.

If you want to continue your education, look at online degrees. If the tests are proctored online, then it doesn't matter where you live, so long as you have a decent internet connection. They may require a U.S. address, but you can just use someone else's (it's not like they really send anything anyways).

Long time lurker, but I created an account just for you. Hope this helps.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

way too early to go, wait to see what is going to happen to DACA, we are getting tons of support right now....

I Find it interesting how many of you have issues renewing, everything has been going perfectly smooth these past 2 renewals for me.

Be careful because in some countries dont give a shiet if you got a degree.

Just wait then decide.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

There's always Canada..you can go to school with a study permit and work part time while classes are in session. Your SO can also apply for an open work permit..You are also allowed to work after you graduate..and if your employer likes you enough you can apply for permanent residency. There's also have Express Entry which is granted in about 6 months. You have to take an English/French test, apply for jobs and prove you have a job offer.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Dude, stick around!

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I hope the delayed approval of renewals is no longer an issue. This is the one thing that I'm scared of.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

out of curiosity, for you and others that have bachelors and masters or double masters, how did you afford and have time for school? i mean while working and paying rent/mortgage? or do you have loans?

anyways if you have DACA/EAD again, why not take some time to plan it carefully and only move when you have a solid job offer somewhere else? moving between cities can be expensive, i can just imagine moving permanently to another country

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, work full time during the day and go to school to get my master at night. I make decent money so I can afford the tuition.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Brother, where do you live? and you're still waiting for DACA to be renewed? or did it get renewed but you're concerned for your future? You should try to stay within the States but move to a bigger city while you still have your DACA. There are plenty of small Engineering offices that just don't give a f about your status and willing to work with you as long as you provide your services.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

What are these small engineering office you talking about? I'm interested, what do they do?

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

We are getting somewhere.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

I feel you when you say you want your freedom. I too feel trapped here in the US. I'm super grateful for having DACA since 2013. Was the opportunity that helped me get out of a shitty minimum wage factory job where the employer didn't care about status and used it to their advantage to always try and undercut you but it was safe and stable.

In 2012 I had barely finished my BA in Graphic Design and had planned on leaving the country. No way was I gonna keep working the way I was now that I had a BA. Not only that but I've always wanted to travel abroad. DACA came and those plans were put hold to give it a chance and it has been a good ride so far. I got a good job in my field which I love with lots of cool perks, own office, good pay, and get to travel within the US. Finally have some savings, bought a car and got my own place and yet I still feel trapped.

Recently got my renewal approved and now I question once again whether I should still walk up and leave. Not back to my home country but to some other 1st world country that's welcoming. Problem is there is no safety net. Once you step out you can't come back in. Wherever you go failure is not an option. It's scary to leave our comfort zone but if the pros outweigh the cons then I say do it. In the long run you may be happier there.

I'm still outweighing my options but am leaning more towards migrating somewhere else. Its a couple steps backwards but I feel the risks could pay off long term and would be a new adventure. Waiting for something solid to happen within the next 4 years during this administration doesn't look very promising. I'm one of the ones that's been waiting since 2001 for dream act. Not much hope left for that.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Sounds like bitchy millennial syndrome.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Lol, That's one way of seeing it. To each their own.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Sooner or later most DREAMers will come to face the harsh reality of the detrimental impact that being undocumented can have on someone. The longer you are undocumented, the more jaded you become.

Some don't even have DACA. Just think of that for a moment. The majority of DACA recipients have absolutely no clue about how real the struggle can be.

To the OP: this is a perfectly normal feeling to have. Sometimes happiness can be satisfied with something as simple as having the freedom to do whatever you want.

I hate to make this reference, but every time i find myself in a shitty situation or feeling super negative about something, i always think about how much worse other people out there may have it.

If there are better opportunities elsewhere for you, then chase them. Otherwise don't give up and keep your head up.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

That's the only way of seeing it.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

Wow alot of fellow engineers out there! :D
I too have been considering Canada for some time. Canada is excellent for engineering especially since they are doing alot of capital upgrades. But going through express entry is hard :(

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

step 1. walk of of the US borders.
step 2. dont forget to pack plenty of undies
step 3. no you're no longer illegal.

Re: It's time for me to go. Any advice on leaving?
 

While I do appreciate DACA, I could also relate to the OP's post...
But you still have to ask yourself, is it worth it?
Would the new lifestyle be worth it compared to holding ou.
There is engineers, even from Canada, dying to come to the United States to further their careers.

The upward mobility of many countries are not even close to that of the States.