Need to Vent?

Today I joined my first forum. I'm not normally the kind of person that shares my thoughts with anyone, so bare with me. Guess you could say I'm a bit shy, at least I have been for the past few years, bet you can guess why. I'm at the point in my situation where I'm so frustrated all the time and bitter, even depressed. That's why I felt that maybe if I could just talk about it with someone, anyone in a similar circumstance I could start to feel a lot better about it. Such a loser to admit this but when I first started to read some of the posts I cried, because it was such a relief to know that I wasn't the only one stuck in this rut. I want to hear your stories and if I can offer some comfort or support. I'm an optimist at heart believe it or not so I'm always looking for the good in things. So if you want to vent with me Dreamers please do, it might just help us both.

So here's my tale, I'll try to keep it short otherwise I'll end up writing a book. My family moved from the UK to America when I was 5 under a work visa. I found out we were overstayed when I was 16. I will be 21 this year. I graduated high school in the top of my class, I always wanted to go to college and become an engineer, I still do. I've been accepted into multiple universities including my dream school, but because I don't have the right documentation I cannot attend, let alone get a job or scholarship to pay for it. I've been unsuccessfully looking for job for months now. Due to some unforeseen family drama my family has returned to the UK due to lack of identity and jobs. I couldn't leave, all I knew was that this was the country I was meant to be in and if I had to fight to stay here I would. I grew up a country girl in Kentucky and fell in love with not only the land but with my childhood sweetheart. He is my blessing and we are engaged, but I am still terrified that I might be taken away from him. I know that I have a good shot at staying here but it's like something hanging over my head, and I worry about it a lot. Stressful to say the least. A lot of people know about my situation and are supportive but it's naturally really hard for them to relate especially since they are all Americans. I spend most of my days at home and it really sucks. I can't help but feel like I should nearly be done with college already and have a good job, it's still really hard for me to speak to friends from high school because they are so far ahead of me in life. I try to keep as busy as I can but there's only so much I can do. So I guess I'll just have to be more patient and keep hoping for the best. That's my vent and I hope you'll share yours. Please pass, Dream Act there's a lot of Dreamers out there. - Hannie

Most of are almost in the same situation as you are, all I can say is hang in there if you REALLY want to stay in the US. It won't be easy, but staying positive and attracting positive things to your life will better your life. Best thing you can do is go to school, your education can never be taken away from you, its valid everywhere in the world. If push comes to shove, you can always move to UK and live there happily, as its a first world nation. But I do understand why you do not want to leave, as the US is your nation by heart but not by documentation. Stay strong and positive, best wishes.

Honestly, if I was in your shoes and things didn't work out for me, I would return to the UK. The language is the same, the culture is similar to the US, and you won't experience massive culture shock. You'll be able to attend UK universities, you'll be able to work, you can drive, you can head out to the pub, you can do everything that you've wanted to do in the US. Think of it as moving to a different city within the US -- I moved from the north to the south and I imagine moving to the UK would be very similar to that.

tl;dr: Unless you adjust your status very quickly, move back to the UK. You're missing out the best years of your life being an illegal here.

Thanks for the positive replies. I'm already feeling a lot better just being able to relate to others in the same situation. I really hope that it will all be resolved in the next couple of years and that one day I'll be an American and that I'll be given the chance to pursue my dreams. Until that day I'll keep doing everything that I can, I've never been the one to sit on the sidelines and I don't believe in giving up no matter how tough it gets. The last few years has confirmed that for me. I truly hope that this nation will recognize what a great benefit the Dream Act can bring to the table and pass it swiftly. Best wishes to you all.

I stopped reading as soon as I got to this line. No offense to you, I'm sure you think you've got a real problem but you don't. Most of us come from third world countries where the average wage is paltry. I guarantee you that if most of us were from a country such as the UK we wouldn't be here.

You have much more options than many dreamers who came from a third world country without inspection. If I were you I will just marry your boy friend and get your paper fix.

I might not be from a third world country but that wasn't the point that I was trying to get across, the fact is I was raised in this country, I love it and it's people. The UK is not a bad country true but why should I have to live my life in a place that I barely remember? I am in love with an American man and I gave up my family to stay with him and to remain in this country, I may not get to see my family for many years if ever. I realize that I have it a lot easier than some but at the end of the day I want the same thing that many do, to be an American, everyone who wants that opportunity, who truly wants it should be allowed to do so. So does it really matter where you came from? If my family had stayed in the UK I am sure I would be a happy citizen there, but they didn't and I grew up in America, not by choice but I am glad that I did it is a wonderful country and I am proud to be a part of it. It may not be a "real" problem to you, but heartbreak is one of the biggest problems to me and I know I am not the only person to make these sacrifices. It doesn't matter where you are from, what matters is where you are. Peace and best wishes to you.

You had a choice.

Let me clarify. I had a choice to remain here with the love of my life or return to the UK with my family. I did not have a choice when I was 5 to move to America in the first place.

Welcome, Hannie! Don't listen to these bitches. The Dream Act isn't exclusively fo people from third world countries.