This is why I never had a chance

I came to US when I was 10 years old, in 1999. As most of you guys may already know, your parents don't tell you whether you're undocumented until you find out yourself before going to college. I honestly thought VISA was a credit card company. I didn't even know what VISA meant nonetheless B1/B2. Yes, I was here by a B1 Tourist Visa so you guys already know how this story is going to end up.

My father was never supportive of our family and it's a long story. To make long story short, my mother works at a Nail Salon off the book for $15,000 a year in a family of four and there is no other source of income. We pay personal income tax every single year and we get NO gov't benefit whatsoever. It's funny, though, how the gov't doesn't lose out when it comes to collecting taxes, allowing undocumented immigrants to pay taxes using ITIN but not letting us work..

In 2007, I graduated high school and with my small dream of becoming a computer engineer, I attended SUNY Stony Brook University for one year until I realized that I couldn't pay $17,000 a year even with all the money that I saved during my senior year & summer working at a restaurant and a tutor (off the book).

With my 3.9 GPA, I transferred to CUNY where I could save $ by commuting from home. Now, I'm a senior with 3.8 GPA and was in Student Gov't but I have no hope.

As a child, I was always told that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I foolishly believed this motto and tried harder than I had to because in the end, it didn't even matter. Teachers told me that my voices matter. My opinions matter. But now I realize what really matter is where you were born and how rich your family is.

Even though I tried so hard and gave up everything in my life to move up in my social status, this society never gave me a chance. Not a single one. In fact, I can't even work at a McDonald to support myself.

I thought about the sacrifices that I made to be where I am today and I realized that the gangsters who used to jump me in high school have better lives than me. At least they're allowed to support themselves and drive no matter how many times they go to jail.

I used to get picked on in high school because I studied instead of joining a gang despite living next to a project and now I regret it. I would've been better off if I joined a gang in high school and sold drugs. At least I wouldn't be starving on day to day basis.

Either way, this society sees me as a criminal even though I excelled in everything that this society asked me to do since the age of 10 and the republicans literally wants me hanged because I'm colored, undocumented and raised in a poor family.

Strange enough our stories are so similar. I went to Stony Brook for a year and then transferred to CUNY as well. Stony Brook was heavy on the pockets.

I encourage you not to feel worse off because you decided to get an education instead of joining gangs, the knowledge you have gained can be your ticket out.

I don't know whats going to happen to people like us, But I have considered going to different countries after I graduate if the dream act doesn't work out. But definitely education can be the liberating agent.

Look at it this way, you got caught dealing drugs or anything like that because you would be dealing with people you don't know in order to become successful, you never know if the person was referred as part of a deal with the police in order to catch you and go after bigger people, but eventually they could catch you and you would have to live with that risk, you would be deported and sure as hell chances of you coming back into the country would be minimal at best. At least now if you actually get deported you have some educational background, knowledge that could be of considerable use anywhere, and no criminal record to worry a potential employer from giving you a decent wage.

But lets not think about deportation, just keep on working for that degree so that you may have something to show for all this struggle, something of high value, because its not everyone that gets to attend college and graduate and the demand for a college graduate is far greater then only a high school graduate.

What would you do if you have legal documentation?

you are an overstay so there are more opportunities for you to change your status in this country without even having to go to your country and serve a 10-year ban.

At least you didn't joing the gan and sold drugs, which would have made you into a "criminal" and would have reinforced the stereotype that many of the anti-Dreamers want to use against us. Don't worry man, next year will be forvermore [via Friendly Fires]

I'm about to graduate right now and the first thing that I would do is intern, apply for jobs and take out loans for tuition..

For Tourist overstay there is no way to change my status unless I marry an USC in which I can't live with myself to do this kind of thing for a documentation.. and I will get a 10 year ban for sure if I leave now..

The way I see it, there are a lot of people that have the documentation and would not think of doing what you planned. Intern you meet people in the field that would become people you can contact later on if you need their help, networking. loans for tuition to improve yourself and your chances of getting further ahead, and looking for a job.

This situation, I feel that it makes us more aware of what is out there, and we dream about what we would be able to do once we get legalized. We don't expect things to fall out of the sky and into our laps, we are not doing this for any government assistance, we never got it before, we don't need it.


I know, I am in the same boat, its an easy option but have not taken that route because it would not feel right to do it for documentation furthermore you will be banned for life if they find out you married for documentation.

But what's to say that you will not find that special one who you genuinely love. It does happen for the right reason sometimes.

Hey, can you apply for non-resident fee waiver since you're in NY?

If you have attended highschool in NY for 3+ years, you should qualify for the non-resident fee waiver

non-resident feewaiver for what?

if you have attended NY for more than 3 years, you'll be treated as NY resident for tuition purpose.

So, you'll only have to pay around 5 grand for tuition at CUNY.

Yea you shouldnt have to pay out-of state tuition since you graduated from a HS in NY( assuming that you graduated )

Btw, Where are you guys from? I'm also from NY. You should definitely attend a community college right after you graduate (NCC Alum Right here!) You save tons of money and attain the same education. Lots of the teachers at NCC teach at Hofstra, stoney, NYIT, NYU etc..so you actually get a great Education and save lots of money simultaneously.

I also just recently joined these forums and its actually a great little community to lean your back on since were on the same boat together. But were all on the same boat...I also came on a visiting visa and over stayed (i was young so didnt realize it just like you..found out in HS when i couldnt drive) But be strong bud..hang in there! PM me if you need anything!