TatieMV

I need financial help to get my green card, i have been in the US for 10 years. Never drove a car and can't really get a good job because of my status, I'm now a single mom and i don't make enough to pay for our stuff and to pay $2,500 in order to get my green card. I have all my paper work ready, now i just need this money for the fees. Do you know if there is anything out there, business or whatever that would help me getting legal?I came here with a tourist visa which has not expired yet, it will expire in 2009. I mean illegal because i don't have a license do i take the bus everywhere and don't have a social security number which makes it hard to get a good job and pay taxes. My mom is married to an american, so i can get the green card through her which we have beentrying but there was a lawyer that took our money and moved to florida now won't give the money back.My Mother got her green card 2 years ago after being here for 7 years or so. They still gave her the green card and so did my sister. we all came together. Just my lawyer screwed me over and now that i have a kid i'm having trouble saving up that much money.

MunizF

Catholic Church usually knows someone

reymysterio

you could use the penny saver

ibuguru

To get a green card, you must prove that you can support yourself and your dependents without accessing any public social services or charity. There is a law called the "public charge law" which makes any applicant who might become a "public charge" ineligible for green card & citizenship.If you cannot pay for your application fees and ask a charity for help, your application becomes invalid -- you do not meet the requirements to apply for a green card.There is no way for you to become "legal" if you have violated any immigration laws and/or are incapable of supporting yourself and your dependents. And if you are not here legally, you are deportable and will be barred from re-entry.Either get you financial house in order and pay for your own application fees or you will have to take your kids and go home. If you are a citizen of another country, your kids are automatically citizens of your country regardless where they were born, and you can get them passports at your consulate and take them home with you without any problem at all.

freebird

Try your local catholic Social Services, they offer good quality, low cost legal advice. I don't know if they can offer help with filing costs but it's worth a try.

Mamapeapod

What visa status did you enter the US ten years ago? It sounds like you are out of status.

livelife

Tatie, there r a lot of caveats in ur question, and to me it seems u haven't given us a complete, honest picture.What status have u been in US for 10 yrs?Why can't u get a job, good or not-so-good? Is it because ur out of status, or because u r a dependent under someone else's Visa?Ur last sentence states ur not legal, so applying for a GC is out of question right now. And to make matters worse, u don't even have money even if there was a chance to apply for GC through the help of an immigration lawyer. ibu guru is right in what he says, except for the fact that ur children if born in US will be considered US citizens. They don't automatically become citizens of YOUR home country. So now the the only good option for u is to take ur kids back to ur home country, and when they turn 18, they can come to the US and file a petition for u to join them as well. I m sorry coz it does seem like ur going through a hard time, but right now there r not too many options u have.Hope things turn out fine for u!

Sarah_Hone

A tourist visa only allows you to stay in the US for a maximum of up to a year at a time. You usually get a stamp for 3 or 6 months when you enter the US and then you can apply for an extension based on that date. You are supposedly required to spend more time in your home country than in the US when you have a toursit visa. If you have been here for 10 years constantly since you first entered then you are totally out of status and therefore in the eyes of USCIS illegal. When you originally apply for the tourist visa it is usually valid for 10 years, but that is so that you can make multiple entries over those 10 years, not so that you can stay for a 10 year block. I really don't know what to suggest, having overstayed by so many years I highly doubt that USCIS would approve any application you sent as you are so far out of status. See if you can find an immigration lawyer who will give you a free initial consultation and ask them about your case.

needvacation

$2500, for the greencard- bullsh*tI dont' know how much the total was for me couple of years ago, everything legal, no lawyer involvd etc, but not nearly 2500 dollar. And if you want us to give you helpful advice, please provide us with truthful facts. 10 year tourist visa - hard to believe. Last but not least good luck to you.