need answers

i am 23 and hav been here for over 13yrs. i came here from south africa with my family when i was ten (my mom and two brothers and i have one born here). i have a ssc and number but i don't know my status. i live in florida and graduated high school and am currently in college studying to be a teacher. its a slow process cuase i'm payin for it myself cause i can't get a job. my ssc says invalid for employement but i have a job under the table cause i'm on my own. i'm looking for a lawyer now. i just wanna know do i have a chance in staying here, gettin a green card or getting a work visa or whatever i need?????? where do i begin????????

It all comes down to what your status is. You should ask your parents. You can ask the government but I'd do it through a lawyer just in case the answer is not what you'd like it to be.

Unfortunately in the US you aren't legal no matter how long you've been living here on what age you immigrated at. If you weren't born here, you need to have papers until or unless you are a citizen. The rules are quite strict, so be careful. And if you are illegal right now, you may not be able to legalize yourself.

You are doing the right thing in hiring a good immigration attorney. They can get you the answers you need much better than anyone on a forum can.

Good luck!

I was born here in the United States. My parents now live in Colombia. I want to Know what legal process I have to go through in order to get them a permanent visa? what applications or legal documents do i need to fill out? How long will this Legal process take?