^ this

so, since I got here at the age of 7, I would have to wait until I am 32 to start applying for legal status, in the meantime the education I got would become outdated and there would be no choice to join the workforce in probably an area that is of little assistance to the economy of this country? Unless I can find the way to afford more years of education, but my field tends to change very fast.

when you start requiring such large numbers before applying all that you are accomplishing is getting people closer and closer to an age group where they would be very unlikely to contribute to the society in any significant manner, as they get closer and closer to an age or retirement. Additionally... 25 years, holy !@#$, a million things will happen with politics over that period of time.

The reason I do not leave this country and have my parents petition me is because there is no way to guarantee that a decade from now the immigration laws would be the same to the extent that I would be able to enter legally through my parents petitioning me, or even worse, the same thing that happened to my parents could happen to me, and that is the lack of understanding that we are mortal being, we procreate, create a family and eventually expire.

I would have to make a 10 year commitment to place my life on hold and not marry, or have children; forced celibacy, sounds silly, crazy, funny yet sad. lol /

I still have some years of schooling to go, and more opportunities to explore, I think I will stay for now.