Not illegal...should I still do it?

Hello friends,

I've been an occasional member of this board since the end of 2010 when the Dream Act fiasco was happening. However, since then I've forgotten my login info so here we are afresh. Nice to see all the support!

So here's my basic background. I've been in the U.S. LEGALLY since I was a child, but I never got a green card. So my status in the States continues to be legal, but as a non-immigrant. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been granted by having a legal status, but I am still limited in what I can do/where I can work etc. I'm also at a point in my "career" (hasn't really started) where I'm not sure I want to go down this route. However, changing fields can pose some problems when it comes to visas in general.

In all ways, I think I qualify for the benefits of Deferred Action, although it is not targeted for people in my situation. I know the answer will probably be "Wait it out. Get a green card through working down the line (even though it may be in a field which I have lost passion for)." Any thoughts, advice, or opinions on the matter?

Thanks a lot guys.

That's very confusing. How many years have you had a legal status and what visa do you hold? Do you not have a dozen ways of changing your status to a citizen already if you're a LPR?

What do you think a deferred action would benefit you?

Thanks for the response.

Sorry, I must not have been clear. I currently do NOT hold a green card. I am a student and am quite unsure about continuing down this path as a career. That is where I face certain limitations in terms of legal status (can't just up and leave this field without a damn good reason/having to start over visa-wise). With a work permit, I can work anywhere without having to explain to USCIS why I want the change, only the employer (like everyone else).

You'd have to let your visa to expire to apply and potentially receive a deferral or EAD. Not worth the hassle. You'd be be

Just do it? lol no need to ask us.

You'll basically get the same things you already have so it's probably just a waste of time and money.

I'm curious -- what kind of visa have you been on that has remained valid all this time? You mention arriving in the U.S. as a child, and then talk about changing careers, so I take it you've had this legal status for at least 12-15 years? Just wondering what kind of visa would remain valid for such a long time. If it was through your parents, wouldn't have they been able to petition for residency and include you in it?

In any case, as the others have said, if you've always been legal, you can easily adjust by various means -- marriage, employment.

Or is it something like TPS you've been on?

If you have a valid non-immigrant visa you should maintain your status or switch it to whatever you desire.I think many would have preferred the Rubio non-immigrant variation of a visa rather than Deferred action an if you do hold a non-immigrant visa you pretty much already have an advantage.

Dude, deferred action isn't legal status. It only gives you the right to work while being undocumented. With a non-immigrant visa, you still have a few paths that can get you a green card.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I suppose I was mistaken as to the nature of Deferred Action, for which I apologize if I sounded pompous or ungrateful. Best of luck to those here who do qualify, and I hope that things get better for all of us.

To answer the visa question, I just meant I had been on various non-immigrant visas this whole time, not that one visa remained valid for 10+ years.

Best of luck, everyone.