Promotion or Leave

Some of you may find this to be a dumb thing to be contemplating on which I understand. But I really need to rant to those who would understand a little bit more than others since we're all in the limbo situation.

Since the beginning of this year, my family have been preparing to move out of the US and to move back to our native country, Korea. We have not booked any tickets but our estimated timeline is to leave by end of this year or early next year (Jan/Feb). My parents sold the house and we're living in an apartment. They run a small business which is also on the listing for sale. Long story short, we're very serious about this decision and moving forward with it.

Anyways, since April my employer have been throwing possible plans of promoting me. Because it was still early in the year with the aim of moving out by end of the year I said I would be happy to take on the new job. It would be another title to add to my resume and a raise, so why not! But as upper management changed plans with the reorg and a team member departing, the plans got delayed. After months of ideas being thrown around, I was offered this week a promotion and to choose from two different position (both same title, different duties, and probably same pay but a raise). It's probably going to take a month or so for me to be officially (and finally) be promoted due to all the bureaucracy involved. This is a great opportunity and definitely would help strengthen my resume during job searching in Korea.

I have not told my employer anything about my status (I do not plan to and don't see the need to) and I have not told my employer that I plan to move. I have a great relationship with my manager which I have expressed frustration over upper management basically delaying my promotion (which I would have left months ago if I wasn't planning to move) but that I am grateful for the opportunities that they're offering me. She shared the same feelings as well and I know that I can trust her. I'm struggling to say yes to the promotion since I'm getting closer to our plan and I know that I wouldn't feel great in saying yes to the promotion knowing that my last day will be in 3-4 months.

I thought over my options and the following are what I came up with:

1. Maybe stay a little longer so that I can have at least few months more of experience in this position before giving notice - my DACA expire end of June. But knowing that my family has been actively preparing for the move also makes me feel guilty and selfish (I haven't shared this thought yet with them).
2. Or I could just tell my manager that I don't have a solid timeline but that I do definitely plan to move and that I can't with good conscience take the promotion. This would make me feel less guilty but if I do tell her at this point (which does seem very early) I feel like both of us would end up counting down to my last day which I don't know if this would be helpful for me as I continue my current position. I know that they can't just fire me for telling I'm going to leave in few months (yay Union!).
3. Just take the damn job for the money and give a month notice. I rather not give 2 weeks notice since my reason for leaving is due to moving to another country. I do think this may leave a bad reputation. Part of me thinks my manager will be understanding but I can't help but worry about this since I need references when job searching in Korea.

I know, I think too much about things and yes I often think at times create problems/stress on my own. I guess I'm kind of curious of what you're thinking and to just get this off my chest.

Lastly, I can't help but also realize I worked damn hard to earn the promotion and I am grateful that they're giving me two options to choose from. I feel valued as a team member and I also feel great that all the hard work has paid off.
I also feel bummed that despite the great opportunity and the privileges, I can't just easily accept due to the impermanence of my current situation in the US. Sure I could renew and stay a little longer. But after all that effort and stress of "wrapping" things up (it was full of drama) and the fear of my parents being deported, I can't easily make the decision to stay either. We made the decision as a family and want to do it together as a family.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for listening.

How about you renew your DACA, take the promotion which will let you get more experience and money. Stay and work for a little longer and have your parents leave for Korea while you stay behind for a few more years. Taking the promotion will only help you more when do you leave for Korea. I think at this point, it only hurt to not take the promotion. DACA isn’t dead yet, squeeze everything you can from it.

So, I don’t really know your situation. But depending on your personal view about staying or leaving the country. I would take advantage of having DACA and renewing it. You’re better off trying to save as much money as you can, doing as much as you can here, because once you leave it’ll be “a while” before you can come back. Are you staying with your family? I’m for letting your family know of your thoughts on this, but don’t say anything to your employer. You’re free to leave a workplace for any reason.

In the U.S, you can export stuff, send remittances, anything you can have you can send over. Send over vehicles, valuables, etc because those may be harder to get.

I also don’t want you to leave if there is a solution passed for us Dreamers. And you, not qualifying because you’re not physically present. Depending on the reform, you could later apply for your family to immigrate

As others have commented I would renew DACA, take the promotion and save more money before you go back to Korea. Plus I’m unsure how easy or hard it will be for you to establish a career there. I would not mention anything to your employer since they may question your loyalty. Additionally, who knows if there is a solution for Dreamers then if you are here it might be better for you to adjust.

It seems you’re affixed to leaving the country and just want us to tell you that

Be honest with your family and express these same thoughts to them; you'll have a clearer mind on what to do.

America is better than South Korea. Thats all I need to say.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramble and respond. I honestly didn't expect anyone to provide feedback so thank you!

One thing I'd like to make clear is that I am 100% determined with the move. The timing may get pushed as we have more things to prepare for. I've pictured all the possible outcome of moving and not moving (including Dream act being passed after I move). But in the end, I chose to worry about settling in Korea and get a job there than worry about whether or not I'll get a status someday and if my parents will get deported the next day. I'm very lucky to be fluent in both languages and have supportive relatives in Korea. There were also some family circumstances that happened which further motivated me to move.

At the time of posting, I was mostly frustrated at the situation that my promotion got delayed. Regardless of the move, if the plan followed as proposed in Spring I would already be promoted, doing more challenging duties, and get a raise. I found out yesterday, that this all got delayed primarily because my manager's supervisor didn't communicate all the plan with the director who ultimately can make the decision. So because of one person's terrible communication and management, my promotion didn't come in time.

I've accepted the promotion and expressed this to my manager who understood and also expressed dissatisfaction at upper management's handling of this. I don't know if anything will happen regarding that, but it felt good to be validated for my frustration.

I posted this because I wasn't sure if now is the time to let my manager know about the move or to just take the job knowing that I'll have to leave in couple of months because I felt bad about it. I have a great relationship with my manager and I didn't want anything to ruin that.

But with hearing more details about upper management's handling of this, I no longer felt bad about anything. My manager also made it clear that she wants what's best for me regardless of whether or not I stay and should I leave for a far better opportunity, she would genuinely be happy for me. I'm going to trust her word for it.

Also with upper management's handling of my promotion, it also reminded me that at the end of the day they're going to put their interest first so why shouldn't I put my own interest first? So I decided I don't care, I'm just going to go with it

Thank you again for taking the time and best of luck to everyone!

Best of luck to you. We wish you the best

Definitely take the promotion, even if it is only for 1 or a few months. You deserve it, take it.