student

I came to the United States in 1997 when my father acquired an Investor’s (E2) VISA that he successfully renovated as time went on. For ten years, I have been in this country legally thanks to the passed-down VISA for my father’s immediate family. I recently turned 21, am out of status, and will soon be out of VISA since I am no longer eligible for a passed-down version of my father’s even if he manages to renew it once again.

I have never once broken the law and will soon be applying for a student VISA that will allow me to finish my studies. The problem is that I will be out of legal options afterward as far as my status in this nation is concerned. I was hoping to apply to medical school, but under a student VISA I will be forced to do so as an international, essentially reducing my chances of acceptance to nothing (and not being eligible for financial aid otherwise).

My parents paid taxes for ten years and none in my family have a criminal record whatsoever. Looking at me, one would never guess that I am Mexican. To be honest, I have become detached from my original culture and consider myself an American in every way except for not having a nine-digit number attached. As the clock ticks and my VISA closes in on the expiration date, the idea that this country wants me out even though I have been here legally since elementary school becomes more of a reality.

I need help. I have never broken law and this country is my home. Pointing at me and telling me to leave is no different than pointing the same finger at any other American and telling them to get out. I do not want to do anything wrong, but my situation cannot remain as is for much longer.