Might Be Going Back To Europe

Hello DAP. Lately, I've just become convinced that CIR/DREAM isn't going to pass this or the next year. Right now health care reform is what's important, and if the general consensus of my American friends about socialized health care is reflective of the senators and representatives in Congress, then that's not going to pass and Obama isn't going to even try bringing up immigration reform. Then 2010 is an election year, so that's also a no.

I'm a senior in high school now, and it's college application season. Of course, being undocumented this is hard for me. I mean first of all I'm two of several worst possible things to be in the U.S. - gay, and undocumented. Second, I'm Polish, and therefore white and racially, the majority, so I can't get any funding because I'm not Latino (no offense to anyone). Thirdly, my grades are terrible. Since colleges only calculate applicant's GPA based on their first 3 years of high school, then I only come up to about a 3.2 GPA. It wouldn't matter if with my 2 AP classes this year along with a slew of other college prepatory classes and got a 4.0 GPA or above. So long scholarships. The only subjects I've been good at are English. Math and science were always my biggest weaknesses. I am grandfathered under i245, but that's useless basically. The only way that's useful is if I'm going to commit marriage fraud and marry a woman just for her papers, and with that, where the hell am I going to find a woman that's willing to get married to a gay man just so that I can obtain U.S. Citizenship? I'd probably commit suicide just waiting to get my papers from lying to myself.

I've been thinking about this a lot now, and just came to the conclusion that it's not worth waiting for things to get better in the U.S.

So now, I'm considering just leaving the U.S. and going to pursue further education in Europe. I'm graduating HS about a month before my 19th birthday, so if I leave before that then I'll be banned from re-entry to the U.S. for only 3 years, instead of 10 if I were here for my 19th birthday. Before leaving, I'd bring all my precious belongings to my aunt on my dad's side's house, and just pack bare essentials in case I get detained at the airport. I would go to Poland first and hunker down with either my grandma, or my aunt on my mom's side. My brother is going to the UK now for work, and I also have family friends/relatives that live there. I would talk to them about possible living arrangements in the UK, and my main goal would be to go there and get a British education. For the first year though, I would go to work and begin saving up money while getting accustomed to the culture and looking up universities/trade schools that I could go to. In the meantime I'd keep in contact with my aunt in the U.S. so she can send me my stuff. Then I'd start going to University, and by the time I'll be getting my degree the 3 year ban from the U.S. should be lifted. Then I'd be able to apply for a U.S. Visa on my own merits, and not have to deal with the BS of family sponsorship or adjusting status.

If my thinking is correct, that's probably just the best thing for me to do. The only thing I have to lose from the U.S. is the friends I have at school. I'd try my best to keep in touch with them of course. If anything, my leaving will give them a very vivid example of the double-standard nature of this country's government and politicians.

If anyone sees anything wrong with my plan, or wants to give me advice or just ask about things in general, feel free. I'm here posting this because I want it to be foolproof.

sounds good... pursue your education in Europe. I would do the same thing if I were you. As much as I love this country I wouldn't wait around to beg for papers if I have a way out... You seem to have a way out and seems hell of a lot better than waiting for Dream to pass...

Although transferring to a school in Europe might not be a bad idea. Like get your junior college units here in the U.S. then transfer to a European university... would you save money that way? I would look into the costs of education and compare them first.

Sounds great

but not to ruin your moment, dont you have to leave before you turn 18 so that a 10 year ban wont affect u.

If I was from Europe, I would have left ages ago even if it meant getting a ten year ban.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know I begin accruing criminal presence in the U.S. once I turn 18. If I stay for half a year after turning 18, then I get a 3 year ban, and if a full year after that's 10 years. I graduate in May and my birthday is in late June, so I think I'm good?

I'm 100% behind you. I'm going to wait another year before I actually do leave. I'm probably going to Australia though, it's going to be a pain since I don't know anyone there, but I am a citizen of Australia. They speak english which is good. The only thing holding me back is family and friends.

Technically,that is correct but considering the US embassy will have a history of you overstaying do you think they'll go easy on you after the bar ?

Ah, then that's a tough cookie. Regardless I'm still probably going to go for it. I mean, it probably would have been nigh impossible to keep in touch with good friends from high school and beyond if I were a USC and went to college anyway.

yah I dont know why people from europe come here and stay seriously, i mean isn't the economy way better? I mean Euros can buy way more for the dollar ...I know that if your parents bring you here it's understandable and also for the better education, but Europe has good education as well and as I previously stated a good economy.

Also, if you are first generation to go to college then you don't have to be latino to get tons of scholarships.

Typically yes, though Poland is an exception. Poland resists the global economy, and generally the economy there seems to have been worse than in other parts of Europe. Politically and economically, I'm not afraid to admit that my own country is a shithole.

I mean, there is no middle ground: you're either really rich, or really poor. I was in the latter group, so that's why we came here. I mean, my dad didn't have a reliable job - he just drove delivering items to warehouses, and my mom couldn't find one herself - she put money on the table by doing odd favors. Times may have changed, but that's how things were when I lived there.

As for the scholarships, I don't know about that. I've never heard of anything like that in Illinois, maybe those scholarships are just where you live. Speaking of scholarships, some school in Virginia was willing to let me apply for a free-ride scholarships, but the kicker is that I can only apply online and don't have the one obvious thing I need for it. Then another school says I can get a $36,000 scholarship based on my ACT score of 26, but I bet the same kicker applies.

You are quite right. I think one incurs the three year ban in less that 6 months, actually. More like 4 or 5, but that's unimportant in your case.

I am in the exact same position you are right now. Though I posted a thread a couple weeks ago about, basically, my plan to stay here and attend CC and adjust my status in 2 to 3 years, I am seriously backing up on myself. I, like you and the next person, just cannot stand it anymore. Nothing, from my job to where I'll be living, is secure and the feeling is driving me insane.

So I've been reasearching some private schools in Guatemala (my lovely country of origin) and I think I might just take the plunge. There is one in particular that is affiliated with other Catholic colleges here, and I think that will help greatly should I ever come back.

Does the education there compare to an American education? Probably not. Is the country as shiny as my backyard? Probably not. Will I love everything about it? Definitely not.

But I left the place just 8 years ago, so I remember it and I have a connection to it. And to be quite honest, I just want to feel human again. I want a Driver's License, a job I can charm my way into, and an ID. I want to be able to go out and have a few drinks. My 18th birthday is next week, and I can't even go to a club because I don't have a legit way to identify myself as an adult. And that kills me. Because if I'm missing that right now, then how much more will I miss in the next couple years?

Of course, it's not about the clubs and the beers. It's about how I want to live a full life, not that one that is marked by so much sneaking around and hoping just enough to face severe disappointment again and again. I'm sick of it.

This country is beautiful and I will forever be madly in love with it, but the price to stay has exceeded what I'm willing to pay. It's not official yet, but I think I am leaving.

/rantover.

So cheers, Javelin. I wish you the best of luck. And I hope we both find happyness wherever we end up going, or staying as it is