[mahidol]

Not eliciting sympathy or anything - I've been in this country since the age of 12, but don't qualify for a green card since I turned 21 before my parents could get theirs. Even that's fine. I've been here for 14 years, I went to school here, I worked hard to get a job and be where I'm today.

However, I got screwed on the H-1B lottery these last 3 years (when over 50% of the applications are fraud, what else can you say). I wake up every day to face the rather realistic prospect of leaving everything behind - my family, my girlfriend of 3-4 years (who happens to be from a different country herself), my pet dog, my entire social network, my professional career/network.

I know I'm not entitled to being here, but I'm frightened at the prospect of returning to a country where I cannot speak the local language or understand the local working culture. I just don't know any other place in the world better than I know the United States.

I love this country from the bottom of my heart for everything it's given me in my life, and it hurts to see that nothing has changed, and seems like nothing will. I've paid my taxes dutifully, and I'll be willing to give back in any way, shape or form. But I don't get to make that choice :')

[amf12]

I know someone like you who had to leave. It sucks. Hope it works out for you. I don't understand how people like you are ignored when politicians support DACA, and similar programs, for people are in exactly the same situation as you, but came here illegally.

FWIW, I support those programs, but wish it included both legal and illegal immigrants.