nousername
06-01 01:50 PM
Pay stub is secondary .. In the given market getting an offer letter should be your priority. Once you have an offer letter (job) you can apply for your H1 transfer. Worst case USCIS will ask you to go back to your home country and re-enter with a fresh I-94 BUT all this will only happen is you have a new offer.
You said you are here with your family. I do not know your financial condition but it all depends upon how long you can sustain without a job and what risk level you can take with your family. BTW, you have been out of status for 4 months.. so do whatever you want but quickly.
Thanks once again for your reply.
I want to make myself a little clear. Actually, the company thru which I applied my H1B transfer, withdrew my case recently when some query came. I did apply for premium processing paying more. Now the situation is I am still hunting job but as you know it is hard to get one these days. Nothing has been finalised as yet and I am having paystub till Jan. 2009. The company for which I worked won't like to give any letter for unpaid leave. Your case do give me some hope, but I am worried :
- no new company would like to process my case owing to my 3-4 months back paystub . Is it going to happen like this ? I am here with my family, and in that case I am confused whether I should stick to this place or leave.
Thanks again for your time and advise.
You said you are here with your family. I do not know your financial condition but it all depends upon how long you can sustain without a job and what risk level you can take with your family. BTW, you have been out of status for 4 months.. so do whatever you want but quickly.
Thanks once again for your reply.
I want to make myself a little clear. Actually, the company thru which I applied my H1B transfer, withdrew my case recently when some query came. I did apply for premium processing paying more. Now the situation is I am still hunting job but as you know it is hard to get one these days. Nothing has been finalised as yet and I am having paystub till Jan. 2009. The company for which I worked won't like to give any letter for unpaid leave. Your case do give me some hope, but I am worried :
- no new company would like to process my case owing to my 3-4 months back paystub . Is it going to happen like this ? I am here with my family, and in that case I am confused whether I should stick to this place or leave.
Thanks again for your time and advise.
wallpaper Jennifer Lopez Closes Out
shyamiv
08-13 11:45 AM
USA which is a so called developed country, takes 6 months to issue a passport due to the fact that USCIS is over...........loaded with work. So Flashing story is an old one and will only fit in Hollywood world.
The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs issues a US passport to eligible citizens. Applying for passport and issuance is not a USCIS affair and hence is a lot faster i would say a month or less at most ! Had it been a USCIS affair.... most americans will still be tracking their passport case status online ! :)
The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs issues a US passport to eligible citizens. Applying for passport and issuance is not a USCIS affair and hence is a lot faster i would say a month or less at most ! Had it been a USCIS affair.... most americans will still be tracking their passport case status online ! :)
alterego
08-01 02:38 PM
Wonderful. It seem the CHC has really come around to seeing the benefit of interim relief. The sweetener for them of course is the FB visa recapture, however in spite of that it is a commendable step for them to lose their obstructionist stand, linking anything Immi related to the "earned legalisation" program.
This may all yet fall apart if the republicans see political mileage in it. They can cause a huge blow up in Sept. and use it to rally their base. However the good news is that McCain is unlikely to get much help from that, and also doing that will also alienate the Latino vote which they need desperately, so I am not convinced they are likely to do that.
Additionally given recent enforcement measures, wall, harsh immigration raids etc on one hand and the absence of H1b provisions and the generally less controversial provisions in this bill (well supported by industry whose cash they need this fall) may get past moderate republicans. If they choose not to politicize it then I think the measures stand a good chance. Of course we need to do our part, it seem clear to me that we were quite effective with our pleas to the CHC.
I would urge all the naysayers to take a look at these developments and read between the lines and get on board and feel good about your participation.
I notice that some of the least controversial measures like the EB5 program, the Conrad 30 program for physicians, and the Religious workers bill have all been kept in abeyance. Perhaps they will try to bundle a small package together later this year as a rider after the recess. I know there is a long time left, but finally a ray of hope.
I must say considering the recent movement of EB2I dates, the new interpretation of spillover rules, the extension of EAD to 2 yrs and other administrative fixes, the movement of recapture legislation in the congress etc. are all very encouraging given the drought period between 2005 and this spring. I know there are other achievements, but we need to take stock sometimes.
Thanks to IV for bringing attention to our issues and leading to these small but measurable steps. Who else would have advocated for our community?
Please keep all this in mind the next time you think about helping out.
This may all yet fall apart if the republicans see political mileage in it. They can cause a huge blow up in Sept. and use it to rally their base. However the good news is that McCain is unlikely to get much help from that, and also doing that will also alienate the Latino vote which they need desperately, so I am not convinced they are likely to do that.
Additionally given recent enforcement measures, wall, harsh immigration raids etc on one hand and the absence of H1b provisions and the generally less controversial provisions in this bill (well supported by industry whose cash they need this fall) may get past moderate republicans. If they choose not to politicize it then I think the measures stand a good chance. Of course we need to do our part, it seem clear to me that we were quite effective with our pleas to the CHC.
I would urge all the naysayers to take a look at these developments and read between the lines and get on board and feel good about your participation.
I notice that some of the least controversial measures like the EB5 program, the Conrad 30 program for physicians, and the Religious workers bill have all been kept in abeyance. Perhaps they will try to bundle a small package together later this year as a rider after the recess. I know there is a long time left, but finally a ray of hope.
I must say considering the recent movement of EB2I dates, the new interpretation of spillover rules, the extension of EAD to 2 yrs and other administrative fixes, the movement of recapture legislation in the congress etc. are all very encouraging given the drought period between 2005 and this spring. I know there are other achievements, but we need to take stock sometimes.
Thanks to IV for bringing attention to our issues and leading to these small but measurable steps. Who else would have advocated for our community?
Please keep all this in mind the next time you think about helping out.
2011 Jennifer Lopez#39;s ex-husband
conchshell
07-31 04:56 PM
Paper based filing on July 2nd 2008 (NSC)
Got filing receipt on July 19th 2008
Today I got the CRIS appproval email for my EAD application. However, the EAD application for my spouse still shows pending. We both filed together (paper filing). Is this normal, has someone seen this type of situation before? Do I need to contact USCIS to remind them about the other EAD application?
Just to let you know guys ... I got a CRIS email 10 minutes back ... informing that my wife's EAD is also approved. This is a good news because our priority date will be current from tomorrow. However, I don't know we will get the EAD for one year or two year. I guess we will just wait for the cards arrival. Thanks to all the people who responded to my question.
Got filing receipt on July 19th 2008
Today I got the CRIS appproval email for my EAD application. However, the EAD application for my spouse still shows pending. We both filed together (paper filing). Is this normal, has someone seen this type of situation before? Do I need to contact USCIS to remind them about the other EAD application?
Just to let you know guys ... I got a CRIS email 10 minutes back ... informing that my wife's EAD is also approved. This is a good news because our priority date will be current from tomorrow. However, I don't know we will get the EAD for one year or two year. I guess we will just wait for the cards arrival. Thanks to all the people who responded to my question.
more...
ram_ram
02-11 09:00 PM
My situation would answer your questions.
My passport expiry date is Apr 14, 2007. I came back from India after a vacation on Jan 21 2007. My H1-B extension is valid until sep 1 2007.
The immigration officer at the POE stopped me and said he would not allow me in since my passport is not even valid for 6 months. I argued with him saying I can renew it at the embassy in 1 day, if i go in person and am planning to do that. He disagreed and called his supervisor. Somehow his supervisor referred some rule book and said India is in some Club and so I should be allowed inside with a I-94 marked as VOPP. So the officer issued me a I-94 until Apr 4+10 days which is my passport expiry date. Now I applied for my passport renewal and then I should apply for a H1-B extension.
Thanks.
Thank you tdasara, I hope mine works out the same way as yours. Could you tell me when this took place, and also how much gap there was between your passport expiry and H1 visa expiry dates?
One of my best friends had something similar happen to her, but her passport is set to expire just two months ahead of her I-94/H1 expiration date. I wonder if the fact that it was just two months apart made a difference to the officer when he decided on her I-94 date. As you know, in my case, my current passport will expire two years before my H-1.
msp1976, I found out that it would take at least a month to get a new passport (is this right?), and I did not have time for it. I'll be sure to post my experience here.
Thank you!
My passport expiry date is Apr 14, 2007. I came back from India after a vacation on Jan 21 2007. My H1-B extension is valid until sep 1 2007.
The immigration officer at the POE stopped me and said he would not allow me in since my passport is not even valid for 6 months. I argued with him saying I can renew it at the embassy in 1 day, if i go in person and am planning to do that. He disagreed and called his supervisor. Somehow his supervisor referred some rule book and said India is in some Club and so I should be allowed inside with a I-94 marked as VOPP. So the officer issued me a I-94 until Apr 4+10 days which is my passport expiry date. Now I applied for my passport renewal and then I should apply for a H1-B extension.
Thanks.
Thank you tdasara, I hope mine works out the same way as yours. Could you tell me when this took place, and also how much gap there was between your passport expiry and H1 visa expiry dates?
One of my best friends had something similar happen to her, but her passport is set to expire just two months ahead of her I-94/H1 expiration date. I wonder if the fact that it was just two months apart made a difference to the officer when he decided on her I-94 date. As you know, in my case, my current passport will expire two years before my H-1.
msp1976, I found out that it would take at least a month to get a new passport (is this right?), and I did not have time for it. I'll be sure to post my experience here.
Thank you!
chtting2me
10-17 05:39 PM
Mine is filed on Junly20, still my checks are not cashed yet.
After some analysis on receipt delay's and talking to some other senior members in this group here is my description.
Because of high volume of 485 applications USCIS deceided to hire some consultants.
USCIS gave some instructions to consultants. If 485 applications are 100% correct they are issuing
receipts. Other wise they are sending to 2nd level of verification.
even some of friends got receipts who applied on Auguest 17th.
The problems i seen in my application are
1) My H1 extension got expired before i send to USCIS. I did not enclosed my approval notice (when i post my application i did not received my approvals)
2) On 485 part 2 instead of choosing option 1 my immigration person selected option others and mentioned in that column becasue of I140 receipt number (SRC xxxxxx) i am eligiable for applying 485
i seens some other cases also who's receipt are delayed the did some other mistakes.
Experts please give me suggesstions because of above mentioned things is any problems to get GC or receipt numbers
After some analysis on receipt delay's and talking to some other senior members in this group here is my description.
Because of high volume of 485 applications USCIS deceided to hire some consultants.
USCIS gave some instructions to consultants. If 485 applications are 100% correct they are issuing
receipts. Other wise they are sending to 2nd level of verification.
even some of friends got receipts who applied on Auguest 17th.
The problems i seen in my application are
1) My H1 extension got expired before i send to USCIS. I did not enclosed my approval notice (when i post my application i did not received my approvals)
2) On 485 part 2 instead of choosing option 1 my immigration person selected option others and mentioned in that column becasue of I140 receipt number (SRC xxxxxx) i am eligiable for applying 485
i seens some other cases also who's receipt are delayed the did some other mistakes.
Experts please give me suggesstions because of above mentioned things is any problems to get GC or receipt numbers
more...
nousername
06-01 01:50 PM
Pay stub is secondary .. In the given market getting an offer letter should be your priority. Once you have an offer letter (job) you can apply for your H1 transfer. Worst case USCIS will ask you to go back to your home country and re-enter with a fresh I-94 BUT all this will only happen is you have a new offer.
You said you are here with your family. I do not know your financial condition but it all depends upon how long you can sustain without a job and what risk level you can take with your family. BTW, you have been out of status for 4 months.. so do whatever you want but quickly.
Thanks once again for your reply.
I want to make myself a little clear. Actually, the company thru which I applied my H1B transfer, withdrew my case recently when some query came. I did apply for premium processing paying more. Now the situation is I am still hunting job but as you know it is hard to get one these days. Nothing has been finalised as yet and I am having paystub till Jan. 2009. The company for which I worked won't like to give any letter for unpaid leave. Your case do give me some hope, but I am worried :
- no new company would like to process my case owing to my 3-4 months back paystub . Is it going to happen like this ? I am here with my family, and in that case I am confused whether I should stick to this place or leave.
Thanks again for your time and advise.
You said you are here with your family. I do not know your financial condition but it all depends upon how long you can sustain without a job and what risk level you can take with your family. BTW, you have been out of status for 4 months.. so do whatever you want but quickly.
Thanks once again for your reply.
I want to make myself a little clear. Actually, the company thru which I applied my H1B transfer, withdrew my case recently when some query came. I did apply for premium processing paying more. Now the situation is I am still hunting job but as you know it is hard to get one these days. Nothing has been finalised as yet and I am having paystub till Jan. 2009. The company for which I worked won't like to give any letter for unpaid leave. Your case do give me some hope, but I am worried :
- no new company would like to process my case owing to my 3-4 months back paystub . Is it going to happen like this ? I am here with my family, and in that case I am confused whether I should stick to this place or leave.
Thanks again for your time and advise.
2010 JENNIFER LOPEZ#39;s Ex-Husband
GreenCord
07-17 02:19 AM
Hello freinds :
I would appreciate if anyone can guide me through the situation I am in. I have been working for a company for past 4yrs. After the July bulletin was released on June 15, my employer has stopped responding to my emails, voicemails and registered mails by normal post. When I try to reach him on the telephone his voicemail message says that he is travelling and not to leave any voicemail messages but to email him and he will respond when he gets a chance. When I email him I get an out of office response. There are two other people working in the same company. I sent emails to these people and also left voicemail messages but they are also not responding.
This has put me in a very difficult situation as I dont know what is the status of my H1B application which expired recently. They were supposed to extend it. They are also not telling me the status of I140 application. My labor PD is June 2004. I would like to file the I485 application if USCIS reverses their decision.
Has anyone been throught the same or similar situation ?
This is my third employer and third GC attempt in the 11yrs I have been in this country.
I would appreciate if anyone can guide me through the situation I am in. I have been working for a company for past 4yrs. After the July bulletin was released on June 15, my employer has stopped responding to my emails, voicemails and registered mails by normal post. When I try to reach him on the telephone his voicemail message says that he is travelling and not to leave any voicemail messages but to email him and he will respond when he gets a chance. When I email him I get an out of office response. There are two other people working in the same company. I sent emails to these people and also left voicemail messages but they are also not responding.
This has put me in a very difficult situation as I dont know what is the status of my H1B application which expired recently. They were supposed to extend it. They are also not telling me the status of I140 application. My labor PD is June 2004. I would like to file the I485 application if USCIS reverses their decision.
Has anyone been throught the same or similar situation ?
This is my third employer and third GC attempt in the 11yrs I have been in this country.
more...
tikka
07-08 10:17 PM
approached the consulate
In DC or wherever
In DC or wherever
hair Lopez sued her ex-husband for
rnanchal
02-05 03:46 PM
Please email me your details, I may be able to get you an observership spot. I do not promise, but I will try
more...
reddymjm
04-17 03:48 PM
As per today I have an H1b visa, I have my I140 approved, and my 6th year ends on April 25, 2008. My actual employer have gave me a contract that says that upon I become a permanent resident i will have to work for him for 5 years, then if I quit after the 5th year or before I will not able to work on the same industry on all the united states, also mention what my salary would be but there is no mention of increase. Since I will have to wait until my residence at least 3 more years, that means that I will have to work on these conditions for 8 or 9 years.!!!!
I do not know what to do , this is almost illegal (I think !), do I have time to change employer and do again my visa, and I140, so I don't lost status ??
If you have a copy of ur LC and I140 you are good to go. Any one can get a 3 year extension on an approved I140. If the rule comes in that you should use ur labor within 45 days of approval. There is nothing ur employer can do to you. If you do not have a copy try getting a copy of your labor and I140.
I do not know what to do , this is almost illegal (I think !), do I have time to change employer and do again my visa, and I140, so I don't lost status ??
If you have a copy of ur LC and I140 you are good to go. Any one can get a 3 year extension on an approved I140. If the rule comes in that you should use ur labor within 45 days of approval. There is nothing ur employer can do to you. If you do not have a copy try getting a copy of your labor and I140.
hot Idol judge: Jennifer Lopez
map_boiler
09-25 05:27 PM
I agree that technically he should be able to file based on the visa bulletin. However, note that this time, they kept the "unavailability" information under wraps unlike in July 2007.
he is still eligible to file.
he is still eligible to file.
more...
house Jennifer Lopez and husband
chil3
08-24 12:40 PM
yes my date is eb3 jan 2007...I think this is part of the whole pre approval thing
I work for University since 2002 with very straightforward case hence suprised
ok..here is part 2.
Employer was able to speak to USICIS officer. He asked
whethere
1) I was contractor
2) from when I was employed
3) Work timings
4) exact office Location
my supervisor asked why all these questions about location and timing they said they will do a site visit
I feel if my app can trigger this than any other app could...
The USICs is just getting crazy with all the bueracacy crap
USCIS is not getting crazy ....It's preplanned well defined strategy to kick out immigrants ...first they choked the system so that everyone is stuck and now picking more & more people in the name of verification
I work for University since 2002 with very straightforward case hence suprised
ok..here is part 2.
Employer was able to speak to USICIS officer. He asked
whethere
1) I was contractor
2) from when I was employed
3) Work timings
4) exact office Location
my supervisor asked why all these questions about location and timing they said they will do a site visit
I feel if my app can trigger this than any other app could...
The USICs is just getting crazy with all the bueracacy crap
USCIS is not getting crazy ....It's preplanned well defined strategy to kick out immigrants ...first they choked the system so that everyone is stuck and now picking more & more people in the name of verification
tattoo Jennifer Lopez is facing a
md2003
03-14 09:41 AM
If i140 is revoke by earlier employer , will it possible to port PD to new employer?.
more...
pictures quot;American Idolquot; judge Jennifer
h1-b forever
04-23 10:18 AM
Hope things will work out good. the disaappearence of H1B memo from USCIS policy website itself is a good sign, let them announce formally also that they have withdrawn that memo.
May GOD Bless all.
USCIS Policy Memo site link below see for yourself.
USCIS - Policy Memoranda (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=7dc68f236e16e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCR D&vgnextchannel=7dc68f236e16e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190a RCRD)
Finally USCIS is acting with some sense in them. They did not think through when they were complying with Sen. Grassley. Their minds were so concentrated in getting the IT industry that they did not realize the back lash will come from all H1Bs, from all sectors including doctors and nurses; and most importantly these people do not have any clue of the present day business models, so they got hammered by businesses too, plus AILA took it on its legality.
May GOD Bless all.
USCIS Policy Memo site link below see for yourself.
USCIS - Policy Memoranda (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=7dc68f236e16e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCR D&vgnextchannel=7dc68f236e16e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190a RCRD)
Finally USCIS is acting with some sense in them. They did not think through when they were complying with Sen. Grassley. Their minds were so concentrated in getting the IT industry that they did not realize the back lash will come from all H1Bs, from all sectors including doctors and nurses; and most importantly these people do not have any clue of the present day business models, so they got hammered by businesses too, plus AILA took it on its legality.
dresses This is the thorn in Jennifer
kriskris
08-22 03:18 PM
I just called the DMV, they are again blindly saying that they just accept I-94 and nothing else. When i tried explaining them about how this is being handled in other states, they told me that this is TEXAS....we go by our own rules. I don't think i have any other option other than going for Premium.
Any advises on upgrading to premium at this time.
Any advises on upgrading to premium at this time.
more...
makeup Jennifer Lopez bans her
chillfakter
02-19 03:22 PM
As many of you assured me, the date on the I-94 reflected the date on my I-797 (I received a B, not an A). It did not have anything to do with my passport expiration date as I was fearing. Thanks everyone!
girlfriend 2010 american-idol-jennifer-
dummgelauft
10-04 09:48 PM
I've been living in the US for almost 4.5 years now. Last year I was flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and the security officer checking the Photo Id./boarding pass at LAX airport asked me the most intelligent question of the century.
"What's the purpose of your visit to Las Vegas?":confused:
I would expect this kind of question at immigration check for international arrivals and not on domestic departures. May be took his job too seriously.
I thought of saying "Gambling, booze and girls" but just answered "Sightseeing" and he let me go :D
I also had a similar experience in Canada where an officer asked the purpose of visit to Canada in spite of showing my Canadian PR card :)
Dude, Leave alone PR, I have a Canadian PASSPORT, this CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) lady one day asked me "Who are you going to meet in Canada?"
I could not believe the stupidity of this woman. So, I replied "Mr. Dhurandhar Bhadvadekar"..
She waited a second to digest it, then said, "Okay..Go..!!"..
"What's the purpose of your visit to Las Vegas?":confused:
I would expect this kind of question at immigration check for international arrivals and not on domestic departures. May be took his job too seriously.
I thought of saying "Gambling, booze and girls" but just answered "Sightseeing" and he let me go :D
I also had a similar experience in Canada where an officer asked the purpose of visit to Canada in spite of showing my Canadian PR card :)
Dude, Leave alone PR, I have a Canadian PASSPORT, this CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) lady one day asked me "Who are you going to meet in Canada?"
I could not believe the stupidity of this woman. So, I replied "Mr. Dhurandhar Bhadvadekar"..
She waited a second to digest it, then said, "Okay..Go..!!"..
hairstyles Jennifer Lopez and husband
bc_rp
09-14 11:18 AM
Zofa :
Per your profile your area of charegability is Egypt. EB2 dates for Egypt are current , there is nothing that prevents you from filing your 485 today .
The Visa bulletin can be found here Visa Bulletin for October 2010 (http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5145.html).
Per your profile your area of charegability is Egypt. EB2 dates for Egypt are current , there is nothing that prevents you from filing your 485 today .
The Visa bulletin can be found here Visa Bulletin for October 2010 (http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5145.html).
India_USA
11-01 09:43 AM
Any new tunes that capture our plight?
eastindia
05-14 02:15 PM
Many blame immigration pressures for young man’s suicide - The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/05/10/many_blame_immigration_pressures_for_young_mans_su icide/)
MARLBOROUGH � In the grief-stricken search for answers, one thing was clear: Gustavo Rezende had hit a wall. He had dreamed of joining the military, getting a driver�s license, and becoming an American citizen.
But the 19-year-old Brazil native was in the country illegally, a hard fact that put his dreams out of reach.
At Marlborough High School, he was popular, a talented artist. Then his friends went off to college and Rezende stayed behind, stocking bottles of soda at a sports complex. He got into trouble with the law and feared deportation to a country he hardly knew.
On March 4, weeks before Rezende�s 20th birthday, police found him hanging from a tree in the woods near his house, next to Marlborough District Court.
The stunning public act, within sight of court clerks and commuters, has shaken a community and triggered an anguished cry for help from his family and friends, who believe Rezende killed himself in despair over his immigration status.
�He always said, �I�ve been here 11 years and I have no rights. . . . I have no right to a driver�s license, no right to continue studying, I have no rights to anything,��� said his mother, Deusuita, weeping on her couch, near an array of photographs of her son. She added, �I don�t want what happened to my son to happen to someone else.��
Immigrant groups have invoked Rezende�s death in the heated debate over illegal immigration. They have increasingly been pushing for Congress to pass the Dream Act, federal legislation pending since 2001 that would allow immigrant youths to apply for legal residency if they arrived in the United States before they turned 16, lived here for five years, and enrolled in college or the military.
�The story about Gustavo Rezende is one of the most compelling cases for immediate federal action to end suffering in our communities,�� said Kyle de Beausset, a 24-year-old activist who said he met last Sunday with Senator Scott Brown to urge him to support the legislation.
Others say Rezende�s death should not factor into the debate, since nobody can say why he took his own life. Though friends and family said he often worried about his immigration status, he didn�t mention it in a note he left at home saying where they could find him.
�It�s exploiting the dead,�� said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, which favors stricter controls over immigration. �You can�t second-guess that stuff because suicide is not a rational response that you can somehow adjust policy to address.��
Colin Reed, a Brown spokesman, said the senator confirmed the meeting with de Beausset and would review the Dream Act. Reed said Brown told de Beausset that he favors streamlining the process for legal immigrants but remains opposed to amnesty for those here illegally.Continued...
Health care workers say suicide is usually the result of more than one issue, such as undiagnosed depression, mental illness, or drug and alcohol problems. But, they say, undocumented youths may be at greater risk because they are ineligible for many programs that might help them.
Rezende, nicknamed �Goose,�� was born in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso and came to the United States when he was 9 with his parents and younger sister on visas they later overstayed.
In 2000, his mother applied for legal residency through work � she cooked for a Brazilian restaurant � but was denied, she said, because her boss was underpaying taxes. She vowed to continue trying, though her marriage ended because her husband wanted to go back to Brazil.
�The kids didn�t want to go,�� she said. �They liked it here as if it were their country.��
In Marlborough, a small city of tidy houses centered on two scenic lakes, Rezende grew from a chubby boy into a fit and charming teenager who loved to draw, listen to music, and hang out with friends. He and one of his best friends, Kyle Hedin, planned to open an animation company someday.
During most of his schooling, Rezende did not face questions about his immigration status because a 1982 Supreme Court ruling allows undocumented students to attend public schools. But that protection ends after high school, making him ineligible for financial aid for college.
Even before graduation, Rezende felt the pressure of his family�s predicament. He helped his mother clean offices at night, leaving little time for homework. He fell behind in school. When he was 17, police were called to his house after he argued with his sister and punched a hole in a door.
After he graduated in 2008, he tried to find work at a supermarket and fast-food restaurants � but most turned him down because he didn�t have a green card. Finally, through a friend, he found work at an ice skating complex. He also got a part-time cleaning job.
Kyle Hedin said Rezende wished he could have the same opportunities as his former classmates.
�He always said, �These kids go to school. They go to college, and they complain about it and they don�t do anything worthwhile,� �� Hedin said. �He was saying he would trade shoes with them in a heartbeat.��
In February, Marlborough police found Rezende trying to change a flat tire, while allegedly intoxicated. Police arrested him on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and driving without a license.
The March 17 hearing in the case weighed on his mind. He had been caught with a fake driver�s license from Brazil, and his mother said he feared he would be deported.
He had talked about suicide in the past, including in the weeks before his death, according to friends and the police report filed after his death.
�He had a hard time asking for help for himself,�� said Jane Hedin, Kyle�s mother. �That�s what�s heartbreaking. . . . He had so many friends he didn�t reach out to. Everybody loved him.��
Mario Rodas of the Student Immigrant Movement, an advocacy group, said immigrant youths often fear deportation if they talk about their problems. The group regularly holds support groups to help the students.
�We tell them not to give up,�� Rodas said.
Two days before he died, his mother said, Rezende couldn�t sleep. He was nauseous and called in sick to work.
The next day, his grandmother arrived for a visit from Brazil, the first time he had seen her since he left in 1999. In the early evening, Rezende hugged his grandmother, kissed his sister, and left the house carrying a rope, according to police, saying only that he �needed it.��
Police found him the next morning about 150 feet into the woods, in a tree he used to climb, a dusting of snow on the ground.
About six weeks after his death, Rezende received a letter from the US government telling him to register for the draft. It wasn�t a mistake: Federal law requires that all men ages 18-26 register with the Selective Service System, including illegal immigrants who cannot serve in the military, said agency spokesman Patrick Schuback.
Registering could help illegal immigrants if they ever apply for legal residency, he said, because it would show that they followed the law.
At home, his mother clutched the letter and wept.
�If that letter had arrived before, he would have been so happy,�� she said.
Maria Sacchetti can be reached at msacchetti@globe.com.
MARLBOROUGH � In the grief-stricken search for answers, one thing was clear: Gustavo Rezende had hit a wall. He had dreamed of joining the military, getting a driver�s license, and becoming an American citizen.
But the 19-year-old Brazil native was in the country illegally, a hard fact that put his dreams out of reach.
At Marlborough High School, he was popular, a talented artist. Then his friends went off to college and Rezende stayed behind, stocking bottles of soda at a sports complex. He got into trouble with the law and feared deportation to a country he hardly knew.
On March 4, weeks before Rezende�s 20th birthday, police found him hanging from a tree in the woods near his house, next to Marlborough District Court.
The stunning public act, within sight of court clerks and commuters, has shaken a community and triggered an anguished cry for help from his family and friends, who believe Rezende killed himself in despair over his immigration status.
�He always said, �I�ve been here 11 years and I have no rights. . . . I have no right to a driver�s license, no right to continue studying, I have no rights to anything,��� said his mother, Deusuita, weeping on her couch, near an array of photographs of her son. She added, �I don�t want what happened to my son to happen to someone else.��
Immigrant groups have invoked Rezende�s death in the heated debate over illegal immigration. They have increasingly been pushing for Congress to pass the Dream Act, federal legislation pending since 2001 that would allow immigrant youths to apply for legal residency if they arrived in the United States before they turned 16, lived here for five years, and enrolled in college or the military.
�The story about Gustavo Rezende is one of the most compelling cases for immediate federal action to end suffering in our communities,�� said Kyle de Beausset, a 24-year-old activist who said he met last Sunday with Senator Scott Brown to urge him to support the legislation.
Others say Rezende�s death should not factor into the debate, since nobody can say why he took his own life. Though friends and family said he often worried about his immigration status, he didn�t mention it in a note he left at home saying where they could find him.
�It�s exploiting the dead,�� said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, which favors stricter controls over immigration. �You can�t second-guess that stuff because suicide is not a rational response that you can somehow adjust policy to address.��
Colin Reed, a Brown spokesman, said the senator confirmed the meeting with de Beausset and would review the Dream Act. Reed said Brown told de Beausset that he favors streamlining the process for legal immigrants but remains opposed to amnesty for those here illegally.Continued...
Health care workers say suicide is usually the result of more than one issue, such as undiagnosed depression, mental illness, or drug and alcohol problems. But, they say, undocumented youths may be at greater risk because they are ineligible for many programs that might help them.
Rezende, nicknamed �Goose,�� was born in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso and came to the United States when he was 9 with his parents and younger sister on visas they later overstayed.
In 2000, his mother applied for legal residency through work � she cooked for a Brazilian restaurant � but was denied, she said, because her boss was underpaying taxes. She vowed to continue trying, though her marriage ended because her husband wanted to go back to Brazil.
�The kids didn�t want to go,�� she said. �They liked it here as if it were their country.��
In Marlborough, a small city of tidy houses centered on two scenic lakes, Rezende grew from a chubby boy into a fit and charming teenager who loved to draw, listen to music, and hang out with friends. He and one of his best friends, Kyle Hedin, planned to open an animation company someday.
During most of his schooling, Rezende did not face questions about his immigration status because a 1982 Supreme Court ruling allows undocumented students to attend public schools. But that protection ends after high school, making him ineligible for financial aid for college.
Even before graduation, Rezende felt the pressure of his family�s predicament. He helped his mother clean offices at night, leaving little time for homework. He fell behind in school. When he was 17, police were called to his house after he argued with his sister and punched a hole in a door.
After he graduated in 2008, he tried to find work at a supermarket and fast-food restaurants � but most turned him down because he didn�t have a green card. Finally, through a friend, he found work at an ice skating complex. He also got a part-time cleaning job.
Kyle Hedin said Rezende wished he could have the same opportunities as his former classmates.
�He always said, �These kids go to school. They go to college, and they complain about it and they don�t do anything worthwhile,� �� Hedin said. �He was saying he would trade shoes with them in a heartbeat.��
In February, Marlborough police found Rezende trying to change a flat tire, while allegedly intoxicated. Police arrested him on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and driving without a license.
The March 17 hearing in the case weighed on his mind. He had been caught with a fake driver�s license from Brazil, and his mother said he feared he would be deported.
He had talked about suicide in the past, including in the weeks before his death, according to friends and the police report filed after his death.
�He had a hard time asking for help for himself,�� said Jane Hedin, Kyle�s mother. �That�s what�s heartbreaking. . . . He had so many friends he didn�t reach out to. Everybody loved him.��
Mario Rodas of the Student Immigrant Movement, an advocacy group, said immigrant youths often fear deportation if they talk about their problems. The group regularly holds support groups to help the students.
�We tell them not to give up,�� Rodas said.
Two days before he died, his mother said, Rezende couldn�t sleep. He was nauseous and called in sick to work.
The next day, his grandmother arrived for a visit from Brazil, the first time he had seen her since he left in 1999. In the early evening, Rezende hugged his grandmother, kissed his sister, and left the house carrying a rope, according to police, saying only that he �needed it.��
Police found him the next morning about 150 feet into the woods, in a tree he used to climb, a dusting of snow on the ground.
About six weeks after his death, Rezende received a letter from the US government telling him to register for the draft. It wasn�t a mistake: Federal law requires that all men ages 18-26 register with the Selective Service System, including illegal immigrants who cannot serve in the military, said agency spokesman Patrick Schuback.
Registering could help illegal immigrants if they ever apply for legal residency, he said, because it would show that they followed the law.
At home, his mother clutched the letter and wept.
�If that letter had arrived before, he would have been so happy,�� she said.
Maria Sacchetti can be reached at msacchetti@globe.com.
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