The "Line" 4 Million People Long

Maria has been waiting in line with her husband for 16 years and counting for what the government calls a priority date for legal residency. Because she is in the U.S. without documents, Maria asked NPR to use only her first name.

In other words, grown Mexican-born sons and daughters of U.S. citizens are at the front of the line for permanent legal residency after applying two decades ago. Different family categories have different "lines" — spouses wait less time than siblings. Different job categories also have different lines — college graduates wait less time than lower-skilled workers.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolit...on-people-long

maria is waiting for a permanent resident card.. we dont know yet what is going to be given out, it could be a new card or maybe just a employment authorization document (EAD) and permission to leave the country... when they say to get back of the line they mean the people that are looking to become permanent residence and citizenship

Also they havent specified what type of petition they filled out to get "on the line". Family based stuff (non immediate) takes forever.

Wow this sounds exactly like my mother's case. Mother's father is US citizen, petition approved, father built small construction company, pays taxes. Never thought I'd see this.

THIS IS THE BEST ARTICLE I'VE EVER READ. Because it argues what I've been arguing.

The category, people, is family-based F3 "Sons and Daughters of US citizens over the age of 21". With the "derivative" part of the law, children and spouses also get "immediate" green cards.

But we've only been waiting in line for 11 years. Maria has it better. SIGH.

USCIS NEEDS TO HIRE WORKERS TO PROCESS MORE OF THESE CASES. And eliminate quotas.

Once you turn 21 and if your from Mexico or the Phillipines[...] itwill take you at the min, 20 years.

MOD EDIT: Refrain from using vulgarity and express yourself clearly and concisely.