Citizenship?

[pattiecake]

Hello everyone,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question but I have a question regarding my citizenship (or lack of it, perhaps?). I am a 20yr old female, currently living in the United States. I was born in Thailand but at the age of 7, my parents decide to move (illegally) to the United States. I have been here ever since, and I am now transferring from a junior college to a 4 year university. The living expenses and tuition is a great financial burden on my family right now and we are drowning in debt. I cannot work because of my lack of a valid social security number, and my father has just lost his job. One of my options right now is going back to Thailand.

My question is, did I lose my Thai citizenship by migrating illegally or is it still intact? Also, considering my situation, what is your opinion on what I should do? Is there a better chance of me surviving in Thailand or just staying put in the United States?

Thanks so much for any advice. I have honestly been clawing my brain for a solution.

[Maestro]

You don’t say what the nationality of your parents is but I assume they are Thai nationals.

Your illegal entry in another country, the USA, had no effect on your Thai citizenship. You acquired Thai nationality at birth and have not lost it.

Presumably, you travelled to the USA with your Thai passport. Do you still have this old passport? Even if it is now expired, you can use it to apply for a new passport at the consular section of the Thai embassy in Washington or the Thai consulates in Chicago and Los Angeles. Ask the consulate to return the old, invalidated passport to you when they give you the new passport. On your arrival in Thailand the immigration officer may want to see the Thai departure stamp in that old passport.

[pattiecake]

Thanks so much. Yes, my parents are both Thai nationals. I have both a new passport and an old passport so going back to Thailand will be no problem. If I ever want to come back to the US legally, will I be eligible for sponsorship?

Also concerning a life back in Thailand, is it worth it? Would I be able to even find work? I have relatives back there, but they are unable to support me financially.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Thanks so much. Yes, my parents are both Thai nationals. I have both a new passport and an old passport so going back to Thailand will be no problem. If I ever want to come back to the US legally, will I be eligible for sponsorship?

Also concerning a life back in Thailand, is it worth it? Would I be able to even find work? I have relatives back there, but they are unable to support me financially.

I do hope things work out for you, but a Q, first. Do you speak, read, and write Thai??

Mac

[lopburi3]

As you seem to have been in the US over a decade wonder if there may be some opportunity to legalize your and family status? Once you leave that will likely not be an option.

And as far as not having an SSN that does not seem to stop most from finding work (off the books and out of view) - without collage education or family ties there is virtually no job openings in Thailand beyond self employed vendor.

[pattiecake]

I can only speak Thai, but very fluently. Reading and writing has been forgotten.

I have found out that the only way I can stay here in the US legally is to marry someone. And yes, I have thought of getting paid under the table, but going back to Thailand is just another option I'm exploring.

[MTH]

I can only speak Thai, but very fluently. Reading and writing has been forgotten.

I have found out that the only way I can stay here in the US legally is to marry someone. And yes, I have thought of getting paid under the table, but going back to Thailand is just another option I'm exploring.

Might not be entirely true.

It's been in the news, for at least the last year, that Obama plans to legalize illegal immigrants.

As you say about exploring your options, this is one that you should look into carefully as well,

before you take a big step that you might regret later in life.