My story

Back in January, ICE went to my home and arrested my dad, he was in prison for about a month and got deported back to China in Feb. My mom and I were devastated, we had a good life here and our lives had changed drastically just by one incident . I've cried and questioned God why this is happening, but I know the more important thing to do is get my life together.

My mom decided to go back to China next month, my parents are really close and my dad needs my mom more than I do. We have sold our home, furnitures,cars and family business. Seeing everything being sold made me feel really depressed and upset.

My dad is doing pretty well in China, he went through "hell" when he was in prison. However, my dad is really optimistic, he told me he is thankful because he was able to read the bible from cover to cover and getting closer to God. I am tearing up just by thinking about to be apart from my parents for years. I am really close to my parents and it's going to be so hard not able to hug them for many years.

I just finished my B.A and I'm currently pursuing my masters. Graduate school is really stressful and I notice I've been very angry lately, I don't know if it's the stress or the changes I am going through made me that way. I don't like myself being so angry and stressed out all the time and I know something has to change.

I am rethinking about finish my masters. I doubt that the master degree is worth the separation from my family. I don't have a boyfriend right now and my relatives(not my parents) are convincing me to get married with an american citizen.My response? I am not going to marry someone just to get a green card, I want to marry someone because I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him.

So, right now, I am in a really awkward situation. Should I stay here finish my masters, spend thirty thousand dollars and have the risk of being deported, or should I go back to China,reunite my family, find a job,support myself and step out the shadow? To be honest, I really doubt that dream act is going to pass 2012

Dreamers, there's no one better to share my story with than you.

Aww *hugs* Stay strong. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure it's what'll truly make you happy.

And welcome to DAP!

wow...what a story...I just want to say you have to stay strong. Finish your master's degree asap. No one will take your degree from you once you get it. I am a Chinese as well. I don't know how would I handle it if I was in your situation. The best thing you could do for your parents right now is to finish your degree. I am sure this is their wish too. =)

That sucks. I can barely imagine what it would feel like to have my family destroyed because we don't have proper documents! Your father must have gone through hell to have clutched a bible and to even read it cover to cover! Alls I can say, even though it's cliche, is that they will understand if you decide to stay and finish your studies. It might feel like hell for you if you don't have any close family here because you might need emotional and tangible support right now when you're feeling shaken to the core. It's tragic to read your woes. (>*.*)>

Sorry to hear this.

If you decide to go back, you're lucky to have your parents there. Good luck with your decision.

30,000 is a lot of money in our situation... So, I guess it depends on how much your M.A. is going to be valued in China. If it is something worthwhile, finish your M.A. first and then think about going back. I know you are emotional and under great stress right now, but you did have a goal of accomplishing something when you decided to get the M.A. degree right? Don't give that up.

I have a friend in Hong Kong who is doing pretty good.
He works at financial district with his Bachelor degree from UCDavis, and he is always regretful that he could have studied more. Study hard while you can, and there will be a better future for you when you go back to China.

Thank you! This is perhaps the hardest decision I've ever have to make

I don't mind going back to China, but It's going to be really hard not be able to see my friends here for at least 10 years.

I just started my master program, it's going to take at least 2 years to finish. I can't work right now and it means that my parents will have to send 30k from China.