Getting a Visa After Unlawful Presence Throughout Childhood
Hello all.
My name is Daniel and I am 19 years old. I had a few questions so I would appreciated any help you can provide. I was born in Tijuana, Mexico in 1993 and shortly moved to the US after that. I grew up there until the age of 18. I got accepted to college but could not afford it due to financial reasons. I did not want to spend my life in the US illegally and be deported so I moved back to Mexico before I turned 18 and before DACA came into effect. I have no deportation or criminal records. I have been in Mexico since June 2011, almost two years.
I had plans to apply for a tourist visa but I was afraid I would be rejected because I've been in the US before. I have a job here and history of check stubs. Are my chances of being approved slim? also, what other avenues can I use to attain residency? my mother is a permanent resident and she is wanting to become a US citizen? as a suggestion, should she wait to get citizenship to petition for me? or just get the process rolling?
I am in no hurry to get to the US. I have managed to build a life of sorts here but the US is my home. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Re: Getting a Visa After Unlawful Presence Throughout Childhood
If you left the U.S. before you turned 18 you don't have a bar due to unlawful presence. Your history of residence in the U.S., though, is a fair consideration in relation to the determination of whether you're likely to leave the U.S. as promised if permitted to enter. If you want to enter as a tourist, you should be prepared to document your strong ties to your nation of origin.