20+ Year Overstay on a Tourist Visa

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

I was brought to California from another country by my parents when I was less than 10 years old. I entered the United States legally on a tourist visa. I have been here since the late 80s.

I got my driver's license when I turned 16. I graduated from high school on time. I graduated from an excellent university on time as well.

My SSN and driver's license are real and valid. I pay my taxes on time too!

Recently, a company said that they are willing to sponsor me. When I went to the lawyers, they said that is impossible since I do not have a valid visa for the adjustment of status (AOS) to take place.

What can I do to salvage this situation?

Please note: Any country outside of the US feels like a foreign country to me at this point since I have been here for 20+ years. The 10 year ban on returning back home to the US is something that makes me shudder every time I think about this situation. I would not wish this fate on anybody.

Thanks for reading.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You probably can't salvage the situation, at least not without leaving the country - and perhaps not then. Your overstay will trigger a ten year period of ineligibility. I suggest consulting an immigration lawyer.

[monkeyseemonkeydo]

I've already asked quite a few immigration lawyers. Has anyone heard of anybody being in a situation similar to mine and were able to adjust their status?

I would love the name of lawyers who had success with cases similar to mine.

Thanks

[Dogmatique]

I've already asked quite a few immigration lawyers. Has anyone heard of anybody being in a situation similar to mine and were able to adjust their status?

I would love the name of lawyers who had success with cases similar to mine.

Thanks

This is where you have to start calling around lawyers, or maybe join an immigration/expat forum to see if others can suggest something.

(Sorry, it's not really what we do here )

[toujoursamour]

My case was EXACTLY THE SAME as yours (parents brought me here as a kid, I graduated here, college here, etc. etc.), except now my husband is a US citizen and we are going through the necessary stuff to get legalized (which is another headache all in itself. It's not as smooth as people say it will be, but at least I'm not in limbo anymore).

Since you're in California, try contacting Albert Lum or Eli Rich for a consultation.
Those are the two I'm aware of in that state that people have used, certainly there are many others, but just to give you a starting off point.

Seeing from this forum and from speaking to many people, there are so many like us who were brought here as children, scholarly, and are law-abiding residents who only want to make things right! Pass the DREAM Act already.