17yo Wants to Become Legal

[gml659]

What is the name of your state? WA and TX.


My half-sister is a Mexican National that has been living and working in the US for about 15yrs. Before she moved from Mexico she had one daughther...which is my Niece. My sister is "illegal" and does not have a Green Card...lives in Texas. The daughther is 17 now. (Sister also has two other Children....both born in the US).

The 17 year old daughter was NOT born in the US. So, when she turns 18 she will be illegal (I guess she is illegal now). The 17yo has lived in the US since she was 3yo and knows nothing about Mexico. The 17yo gradutes from HS in May 2008. The 17yo wants to go to College and have a career in the US. She does not want to live illegal the rest of her life.

What are the options??

My Sister has proposed that I adopt the 17yo. Obviously if I adopt I will be her father and she will be legal. What are the ramifications of this? What has to be done to make this adoption happen?

gml

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

Actually you CANNOT adopt her and confer any immigration benefits upon her because for that to happen the adoption has to have taken place prior to her turning 16. At this point, there is really not much she can do to legalize her status as she has no basis to do so under the current immigration laws.

 

[gml659]

Lana,

OK, thank you for the help. Would you (or anyone) have a link to the law, about being 16yo, to legally adopt?

Are there any other alternatives that I/we can take?

thank you,

gml

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

You can do the research for the requirements on the USCIS website. The Immigration and Nationality Act is there.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can beof further assistance to you in this matter.