Published Jul 6, 2006
cpfnava
1 Post
Hello everyone!! :0)
I'm a nursing student at UCC in New Jersey just about to finish my first semester.
I've wanted to be a nurse for so long, but so far everything is working against me. The problem is that I do not have working papers in this country, even though I've been here since I was 3 years old. I'm totally americanized, but i am not able to work.
does this mean that i won't be able to take the NCLEX? is there any way that I can sign a work contract with a hospital?
i'm so lost, confused and sad.
if anyone has any information, please let me know.
-cpfnava
UM Review RN, ASN, RN
1 Article; 5,163 Posts
Welcome to Allnurses!
It certainly seems like you have an interesting problem, but please don't give up. This website has an awful lot of members. I'm sure someone will know how to help you.
I really don't know what to suggest, except maybe applying for citizenship?
bethin
1,927 Posts
Welcome!
Could you ask your nursing program director about this?
Good luck!
Nurse Ratched, RN
2,149 Posts
Am I gathering that you are here on an expired visa? If so, you need to take this up with an immigration attorney immediately and see what your options are. I wish you luck.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
You may be able to take NCLEX, but you definitely will not be able to work in any type of capacity. You need to get yourself current as soon as you can. That will require that you get an immigration attorney to help you out with this. And you are much better doing it as soon as possible, rather than later, it will be much easier for you when you finish your program not to have any worries.
Chances are that your family brought you over on a tourist visa and just stayed. This is usually the case. But since you are an adult now, you need to get this taken care of as soon as possible.
And it is something that can be fixed, especially if you take the initiative to do it, and not immigration later on. If you need any further help on this, please let me know.
Cristhian1986
11 Posts
Hello, it has been a year since you wrote this, but it is important for me to know what did you do?
I am in the situation as you were, I am graduating in December and I really do not know waht to do. Please let me know what you did because I graduated from high school in here and do not have papers, just an expired visa. Thanks
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Hello, it has been a year since you wrote this, but it is important for me to know what did you do?I am in the situation as you were, I am graduating in December and I really do not know waht to do. Please let me know what you did because I graduated from high school in here and do not have papers, just an expired visa. Thanks
you really need to speak to an immigration lawyer as the issue is your expired visa, as long as you have an expired visa you cannot adjust.
cherry928
7 Posts
You will be able to adjust status if you are Section 245(i) eligible. Google "245i" to find out. I hope this helps.
Please go back and have a look at what is posted in that 245i. It states that the visa for them to stay had to be submitted before 2001 or so. So that does not apply to those that are trying to fix things are now.
For those that came here and attended school on an expired visa, the only hope is the Dream Bill, and that is still pending. Not sure what the outcome will be on that, but the fact is that if you do not have a legal SSN# when applying, or proof that you can be in the US legally, there is a background check that will be done and this will come out.
Have seen several since last summer that have been deported because of this, they were picked up by ICE, and had been in the US for all of their schooling, since before the age of 5. This is not anything to fool around with.
Immigration attorneys should have been involved since last year trying to get things fixed for you, not just before you graduate. The US does not care that you are completing a nursing program, immigration is going to focus on the fact that you are here without a current visa, they do not care about the rest. And if you get deported, then you cannot return to the US for ten years.
You need to take care of this now, and should have done so last year.
JunRN
50 Posts
Pray for the DREAM Bill to pass...it's your only hope.