May be helpful if you're under 18!

I'm not sure how many people know this, but I wanted to share it just in case there were others that had a situation similar to mine and might therefore find it useful. I was brought here illegally when I was 3 or 4 and didn't have any type of documentation (visa, residency, etc) for any time after that until I got my residency at 18. My dad naturalized when I was about 13 and was under the impression that I'd become a citizen too. He thought all kids were eligible to receive citizenship under their parents. Well, I learned the hard way that THIS IS NOT THE CASE! You will only be eligible to receive citizenship if you are already a resident (or have a visa, I think). HOWEVER, if your parent, as a citizen (or permanent resident), petitions for you and you are under 18, you are pretty much guaranteed residency because any illegal stay BEFORE the age of 18 is pardoned. They usually ask that you go back to your country for the meeting with the consulate and a lot of people are scared that they will have to stay there...I know my dad was. If you are under 18, however, that will not happen because you will be considered an innocent. So if you are under 18 and have an appointment at the consulate, go before your 18th birthday!

Here is the link to the law which states this:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...90aRCRD&CH=act

It's Act 212 and if you search for "under 18" on the page, it'll be the second appearance. I've pasted the clause I'm talking about below.

(I) Minors.-No period of time in which an alien is under 18 years of age shall be taken into account in determining the period of unlawful presence in the United States under clause (I).

I hope this has helped someone with a situation similar to mine. Feel free to ask me any questions here or in a private message

See what usually happens though is people age out(turn 21) during the process, thus disqualifying them.

^^^You're talking about a completely different topic.You're opining on aging out dreamers whom have had a benefit applied on their behalf,by a parent for example.

The original poster is talking about no penalties when it comes to undocumented minors whom return before the age of 18 on having no restrictions [per say] on entry.

Sorry you didn't get the information sooner.