Daniel Turcios English 4- 2nd Sept.

11, 2012
A Legal Turn

Although there have been many experiences during my seventeen years of life, only one has really changed my life. When I became a United States resident, it changed my whole life. With that it opened so many doors I didnt have before. It was a really long and complicated process, but it was all rewarding at the end. Getting here at eight and a half years ago as an illegal immigrant was a day to day common thing. Although it was so common I always feared deportation, and it was something I kept in my mind during the time I was illegal. Eventually my mom became an American Citizen, and she was able to apply for my residency. From that day forward my life would change, and the process would start. Right after my mother had submitted my residency application, it would be all about the waiting game. I waited over a year and a half until immigration took a look at my case. After that I had to go to the Salvadorian embassy to get a passport in case I would have to leave the country. Getting the passport took about two to three months. After I got the passport I had to fly to Virginia, and there I had to visit an immigration lawyer. While in

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Virginia the lawyer would give me instructions on how the interview for immigration would go. I would stay in D.C for about a month going over laws, and the interview that would take place. While everything that had to be done in Washington D.C was completed a letter arrived. The letter stated I had to leave the country for immigration purposes. I had to leave to El Salvador, the place I was born. While in El Salvador I spent two months in embassies, and interviews, and doctors for medical examinations. After those processes I was instructed to wait for a package: it wasnt until the packaged arrived that could have the final interview. At this interview, I was told that upon receiving that package I could return to United States. Upon my arrival at the United States, airport immigration checked the package I had and reviewed its content. When they finished sorting through the papers in the package, they stamped a few papers and congratulated me on becoming a United States resident. All in all, the processes I had to go through were long, intricate, and time-consuming. In the end however, all the complications and time spent were worth it. Upon becoming a resident of this country, many doors opened for me and I was able to go through life without the fear that I wouldnt be able to live here or build a better future for myself. I am now able to drive

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legally, and do many things that will make me a better person in this life. My

life has taken a turn in the right direction, and I am now fully prepared for the rest of my life and everything it might bring.