Can an 18 year old illegal immigrant be deported, even though he's lived here since he was 2?

My co-worker's son has a best friend named Juan.

He just turned 18, has graduated high school, and had just started a good job.

His mother (an illegal alien) had told him that he was born here in Dallas. and had given him a social security number (verbally).

His new boss was hounding him to bring in the actual social security card, so he pressed his mom for it.

Turns out he was not born here in the US. His parents came over when he was less than 3 years old. He has two younger sisters, only one of which was actually born in the US. The oldest sister was 2 weeks old when they came to the US.

The SS# he had used his entire life turned out to be the same SS# his father used.

This kid grew up believing he was an American citizen.

Since he's now an adult, he's being told that the only way for him to become an American citizen is to go back to Mexico (a country he never remembers being in), and start the immigration process. Is there anything else he can do?

CJCinTX

I'm assuming the people who've been making the "intelligent" comments on here are Native American i.e. Sioux, Cherokee, etc., because most of us are descendants of immigrants ourselves, legal & illegal. (Do you know how your Great Great Great Grandpa Charlie got in the US?) That said, since you're in Dallas, you might want to have a look at http://www.texaslawhelp.org They might be able to offer some actual assistance available for this family.

Politics

Yes, he can go back an apply for some sort of legal residency, rather that be a Visa (since you mentioned that he is a student) or citizenship.

I apologize if I sound mean or what intolerant, but illegal is illegal and unfortunatley, he seems to be an unwilling or innocent person in what has become a major problem in this country.

love2massage

Not saying that it's his fault, but he is an adult now and we all have rules to live by.

Hold em Rox.

Totally illegal, his parents shouldn't have put him in that situation. Can we say adios?

chicawhappa-the-great

I don't see how it is his fault. He may be 18 now, but he wasn't when his mother / father misled him and told him those lies.

In his place, I would say he has a good argument for staying in the USA. He should get himself a good immigration lawyer...

Although he is technically _not_ american, clearly he is american in every other way. Unless he is telling you a "story", I think he may have a good chance. He has a lot going for him e.g. came as an infant, didn't know till now that he's no citizen (and had no way to find out really, what reason should he have to question it?) and has spent 15 years in the country, living lawfully under all its other laws (apart from being illegal).

Mike

Nope, Too bad so sad for him but his family should have followed the law

darag100

every thing is changing in Amerika right now , I 'd say it depends on your record , and nationality, otherwise religion, but any way it's much easier right now than before 9/11/2001

Jerry S

Bye bye,,,,,Don't mean, to be mean. But the Mexican food IS better in Mexico. Asta lavista

Yo!

ILLEGAL.

Need I say anymore?

â™£RikiTikiTaviâ™¥

I hope everyone living here illegally gets DEPORTED. I was BORN HERE and cannot find a 'good' job, and it's not fair and not right for illegals to take these jobs from American citizens. I can't stand people who get away with this sh!t and it IS a problem here.

DAR

Too bad his mom didn't tell him when the 1986 amnesty went through.

You can check the immigration service web page, but at this point in time it might be tough. A lot of people are trying to regularize their status, though.

saul_herandez

if he was enroled in college and had exelent grades he would've ask for a waiver

Ecstacy

yes

Hadenough

They will give special consideration for him. have him see Social Services and Family Services. They might be able to help. He has a lot going for him. He has lived here as child-does not really know another country. School records, family, job knows the language ect. Do it now before there is a flood of request and his request gets buried. Family services will help and they will work on an income bases. It seems like a lot to go through but when done he will be better off for future. The whole process will take a year. From there he will still need to be requirements. But he has a better chance than most.

sealRborders

If you are NOT born in the U.S.,then you are here ILLEGALLY,which makes you an ILLEGAL!!!!!! And,yes,he can be DEPORTED along with his ILLEGAL family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-way worldtraveler2006.

What the hell maKKKes you thinKKK you're so special that you beaners thinKKK you KKKan taKKKe over this KKKountry?

thetoothfairyiscreepy

if he's illegal then yes. if he applied to become a naturalized citizen, then he wouldn't be ILLEGAL.

...

Juan had better find an American wife soon, or adios mi amigo... ;)

ladie.bug#1

you can if you are here illegal.

Yes he can be deported and rightly so. If he didn't finish his naturalization process and didn't follow the policies then he should be deported. I was robbed at a bank by someone who had been in the US since she was 3 and never finished the citizenship process- after she spends 11 years in jail she will be deported to Laos. It is very unfortunate for your friend because he had no idea and really only knows the US as his home. I would call the immigration office and see if he can at least get a work VISA and if there is a way that he can start the process while staying here. Good luck- hope they can help.

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