Moizyyy

I am so glad to see this on the front page of Reddit today. OP, I am in your shoes and I admire your courage to do this AMA.

I'd like to simply add some points to those who have questions about basic ideas.

• "Go back home and come back legally. What's the problem with that?"

The problem with this is, my home is here. My family is here. I have no one related to me back home. If I go back, I face the dangers of a third world country where it is extremely difficult to survive.

• "What makes you so special? Why are you cutting in line for millions who are waiting to become legal or are wanting to come here legally?"

I cannot speak for everyone in my situation but I do have a slightly different opinion than others inmy situation. I am in no way supporting the idea that we get an expedited pathway to anything. I am simply wanting to live a life without fear of being separated from my family. Whatever process is implemented for us, I will be happy with as long as I am not kicked out to a country that I do not know. I am prepared to wait in this country, my home country (USA), for my turn. But please do not send me back to a new place I am not familiar with. Let me continue paying taxes, let me continue contributing to society by mentoring youth in my community, let me continue working my job and supporting my family, let me continue boosting the economy. Just please, do not separate me from my loved ones and friends.

• "You broke the law. Why should we allow yout o get a free pass?"

This is a very controversial question that has a lot of valid points from both sides. It simply boils down to the best example of OP's situation and millions of others who are not even aware of this law that is in place, let alone what A LAW is. I, along with thousands of others, truly realized what situation we were in when we came of age and our friends got drivers licenses and applied to colleges and were eligible for student aid. How can someone be prosecuted for breaking a law that they were forced into breaking while not knowing what the word "law" even means? For example, if you were forced to commit a murder under life threatening situations, should you go to jail for that crime? That can be argued, because you'd probably know what murder and laws are at an age where you are being forced to commit that crime. Point is, we didn't commit a crime. We didn't even know what a crime was. How can we be punished for that?

• "Go to some other country. You're acting like other people don't live in other countries."

Imagine being an immigrant in the early 20th century being told the same thing. I imagine this was the case for many who migrated here from other countries to get a better life here. Some of you even have ancestors who came here looking for a better life for themselves and their future generations. Point being is that there is no doubt about it that the United States of America is the greatest nation on earth. A country that has values of diversity deeply entrenched into its foundations. This wave of people looking to come here for a better life will NEVER stop. People will always fight to have a better life. Those who aren't in these shoes will not understand what it is like to search for a better life because their home country is not able to give them a basic lifestyle. Even with minimum wage in this country, you can survive and be somewhat happy (that's a whole different issue) but working in other countries for hours on end just to survive isn't an ideal life. So we are all in pursuit of a better life.

• "Stop taking our jobs"

If I hadn't told anyone that I'm not a citizen or a resident in this country, no one would realize it. I am more American than some Americans. A co worker who is American in every word asked me today what holiday it is and what it meant. I happily educated them on Veteran's Day and it's meaning. The only thing that is the difference with me being qualified as an American is a document that says so. I did not steal anyone's job. I am trying my hardest to pursue my own dreams and work hard towards achieving them. With all the obstacles that are in my way, I have worked hard to overcome them and be in the position I am in today. I am paying taxes and contributing to society just as any other American would. I am pledging allegiance to the flag, just as any other American would.

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With the recent election and turn of events, millions in the same situation as OP and I are terrified of being separated from their families and being sent back to the shadows. Many of these people hold jobs in the country ranging from doctors, to lawyers to engineers etc. They now have to look towards preparing for a future somewhere else. I'd like to ask the American people, how does it feel to know that millions of top level workers who hold prestigious jobs that can push the Economy to astounding levels, are sent back to countries that compete against us? Millions of doctors, scientists, lawyers, entreprenuers etc. will be looking for a country where they will put their skill to use and boost the economies of other countries who are in the same race towards greatness and the race to advancement of mankind.

I just want to stay home and be with my family and live a happy life.

Edit: One thing I forgot to mention is that my entire family consists of citizens, I am the only one in this situation. I simply have aged out of the process in place and no longer qualify because it was too late for me by the time I became eligible. Which is why an overhaul of the current system is needed. I have no problems applying to a newer system and waiting in line here as well. But I cannot even do that at the moment.

The second paragraph is the most amazing thing I've read in a while.

I just hope it's very well understood 😰

How do you think it will impact your life once people find out of your past? How do you plan to cope with that?