taiwanluthiers

I have been in the process of applying for an immigration visa based on my father who is a naturalized citizen. my immigration history:

I was brought into the US as a minor (was 8 years old) without any knowledge of my immigration status. I thought I was going on a vacation but since I was so young, I had no idea what was going on. I wasn't really kept in the loop about my status at all. I went through school, gotten a social security number, enrolled into University of Texas when I was 18. I joined the NRA and became involved in target shooting and had hobbies such as rocketry, etc.

One day (2002) I woke up to find Federal agents at my door, at first I thought they had the wrong person but they revealed to me (later on) that I had been in the country illegally, and since I possessed guns at the time, I was charged and convicted of possessing of a firearm as an illegal alien, and misrepresentation of social security number (since the SS number I have gotten was somehow fraudulently obtained). I tried to fight the case at the time but since I was denied bail and I was looking at very little time, I pled guilty and was sentenced to 1 year 1 day, and deported to Taiwan after finishing my sentence.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I started applying for an immigration visa based on my father, I disclosed all the information that I knew in the DS-260. At the interview I was asked to explain and was advised that since I had committed a crime, they have to check if I was even eligible for the visa. 2 weeks later I was contacted for a second interview by 2 officers who asked about the case, but more importantly asked many more questions about what I've done in the years I have been in Taiwan, and if I have been back to the US since. I told them that I have never entered the US since then, and that the first 2 years of being in Taiwan I was serving in the Taiwan military because it is required in Taiwan. After that I was working on my college degree so I took on odd jobs, and after the degree I was involved in missionary work with YWAM and other churches, finally in the past 3 years I have been building and repairing guitars for a living. They said that they will need some time to decide on my application and sent me away.

Less than a week later the consulate called and asked for my passport, as my visa has been granted!! I got the passport back one business day later with the visa and the visa packet.

crg

Out of curiosity, did you ever vote or travel from Texas to Mexico and back?

taiwanluthiers

No I didn't. Never been to mexico, and never voted except in mock (fake) elections that they make you do at school to teach you what democratic process is...

I have voted but only in Taiwan (after returning), I don't think the US cares about that.

Married2abrit

How did your father naturalize? Was he deported too ( if he was the one to bring you in illegally)? I was just very surprised that you didn't have any bumps in the road so to speak.

RICH

I noticed at least one bump in the road.

taiwanluthiers

my mother was the one who brought me over illegally, he had no part in this. He came in initially on a non immigrant visa and kept it current as far as I know. My mom passed away in 1999 and he remarried to a US Citizen and was able to naturalize that way.

hungryhorace

Why were you in possession of a firearm without an appropriate permit?

crg

He likely wouldn't need a permit if he was a US citizen. He was illegally in the US, and it was illegal for him to possess a gun at all. He also mentions model rocketry. That may have attracted attention from law enforcement as well.

hungryhorace

You're right. NRA-ILA | Texas - that just seems insane to me, but hey, it's TX right? I couldn't buy a firearm here in MA until I got my permit issued.

crg

Texas isn't really insane by comparison to other states. A 16 yr old in VT can legally purchase, and concealed carry a handgun without parents permission. Can't buy cigarettes, alcohol, vote, go to an R rated movie, or join the military but can tote around a glock in their waistband.

taiwanluthiers

This isn't the UK, we have the right to have a gun in Texas or anywhere in the US really. At least for Texas no permit is needed.

The issue was I had no idea what my immigration status was because I was brought in as a kid and being told that I was in fact a legal immigrant, with false papers that my mom had obtained illegally.

But It's good that it counted for something.

hungryhorace

There is no 'we'. You are not a US citizen. You are a Taiwanese national and a convicted felon. Did you not think to check that you were a US citizen before purchasing a firearm? Your lack of knowledge concerning the requirement to buy a gun in those States that aren't run by vegetables (those ones usually red) is concerning.

Never thought I'd commend ICE on being proactive, but they appear to have done a good job this time.

scrubbedexpat099

You do not need to be a USC to buy a gun, I have a few.

Nowadays you certainly in Colorado have to pass a background check but that is not the same everywhere and all time.

taiwanluthiers

I wasn't a convicted felon at the time, until I was convicted of the gun thing. Before that I passed background checks without any issue. You don't seem to understand the issue here. I had absolutely no criminal convictions or even arrests prior to that incident. In fact I never even gotten a traffic ticket. Rocketry isn't really an illegal activity at all, it's just a bunch of people who loves science that flies rocket, and I stuck to clubs most the time because the legal requirement to fly large rockets can be a little complicated.

Also ICE does not exist in 2002, it was INS back then.

Federally you have to pass a background check to buy any firearm except for black powder guns. You don't have to be a US Citizen to buy a gun, only aliens that can't buy guns are either illegal aliens, or nonimmigrants who don't have a hunting license or other legit reasons to have a gun. Also like I said I was led to believe I was a legal immigrant so I had no idea that I was illegally in the country until INS pretty much told me that.

hungryhorace

Certain states allow LPR's to purchase guns with an appropriate permit. I was told to get my permit before MA changes their mind and only allows USC's the right to bear arms here.