Hi folks!
 

I've been active here since April, but didn't really introduce myself. I'm Denis, and I came here from Russia when I was eleven. I graduated from high school in 2003, went to community college for three and a half years, then transferred to Berkeley in 2007, and I just graduated with two BAs. I was all set to go to graduate school in Virginia this fall until I realized that my family couldn't afford to pay my tuition, so for now, I'm staying in the Los Angeles area.

My parents finally got their green cards in 2007 but I had aged out and no longer qualified as a dependent. Now I'm waiting for my own I-130 petition to go through, but it looks like that will take at least three to six years.

I'm hoping the DREAM Act passes or that some sort of immigration reform is put into law, so that the USCIS ramps up their visa quotas and speeds up the timeframe for legal immigration. I'm also hopeful that the court system rules in favor of restoring aged-out dependents' priority dates to that of their parents, as that would save me the six years of waiting.

Check out my blog if you're interested in being a writer.

Re: Hi folks!
 

Hi and thanks for the introduction! I'm impressed with your correct spelling and grammar like you wouldn't believe. Welcome! =]

Re: Hi folks!
 

Yeah, that's not typical of Berkeley grads right?


... Welcome.

Re: Hi folks!
 

I was referring to the fact that I'm impressed with his blog. It seems like most of us are incapable of extending the rules of proper English once we get on the internet.

Don't get your panties in a bunch, love. I was being nice to him.

Re: Hi folks!
 

HEY!

I graduated high school in 03 as well and I am also double majoring in college right now.

You sound really interesting and im glad you joined!

Re: Hi folks!
 

welcome welcome!!
so how you got into college?
by scholarships or parents paying for you to go??


curioustity.
:]

Re: Hi folks!
 

Man, sometimes i forget it's people from across the world in this situation. NOT Only Mexico and other latin american countries!

Re: Hi folks!
 

dreamerhippie: Hah, thanks? I didn't know the internet automatically disqualified certain people from correct grammatical usage and spelling ;)

veronica: California has the AB 540 law which allowed me to pay in-state tuition. For the most part, my parents paid my tuition.

And yes, I'm always amazed that the first thing people say when they hear that you're an immigrant is that you're supposedly from Mexico. Not true.

Re: Hi folks!
 

haha! Mexico eh? Well, it's the closest from any other place. So we find it easy to come here.
I wished I lived in California. :[

Re: Hi folks!
 

cal golden bears!!!!!!!! hey yurchie, we went to the same college.i graduated 07, i was so excited to get out of ct,i've always wanted to go to an ivy league but i didnt want to be near ct so i decided to go to berkeley. i remember i was so scared my first day,so many smart asians lol.i was only there for the first semester and had to drop out (still crying). im so happy that i get to go back while the husband go to stanford.. whats your major??