3 Ways Undocumented Individuals May Be Able To Stay In The U.S.

26 January 2019
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For individuals who are undocumented, immigration is a topic that is very important. Despite what some may believe, there are multiple options for undocumented individuals to remain a part of the United States. Three of these options are described in brief detail below.

Option #1: Get Married

It is important that if you decide to go this route that it is a true marriage that you are entering into. You should never attempt to enter into a fake, fabricated relationship/marriage in an attempt to fool the immigration system. While it may be done a lot on TV, it hardly ever works out in real life—not to mention the fact that it is considered a felony crime.

However, if you are in a serious and committed relationship with a citizen of America and there is the potential for marriage, then getting married may be able to keep you in the U.S. As soon as you are married to an American citizen, there are many more options available to ensuring that you remain a permanent, legal citizen of the United States.

Option #2: Serve in the Military

If you are an undocumented individual and decide to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may become eligible for citizenship. However, prior to going down this path, it is important that you are required to service in a location that meets the eligibility requirements for you to obtain residency. In addition, there are certain risks that are carried with this particular option (enlisting while being an undocumented individual). For instance, if you do enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces and it is exposed that you are undocumented, there is a chance that you could be deported.

Option #3: Seek Asylum

Undocumented individuals who are seeking asylum from a foreign government also be able to obtain citizenship status from the U.S. However, there are certain qualifications that will need to be met. Most of these qualifications revolve around establishing what type of danger or threat is posed to you if you were to return to your home country. In other words, you must show sufficient proof that your life would be in grave danger if you were to go "home".

These are just three of the options that undocumented individuals have to stay in the United States. For more information on the aforementioned options as well as others, contact an immigration law firm, like The Ortiz Law Firm.