My name is Carlos, I'm a Mechanical Engineer legally working on an H1 visa. I’ve been in USA for 8 years now, but I’m still not even allowed to apply for a Green Card. I’m under an EB-3 category, which means I’m a third preference foreign immigrant because I don’t have a Master’s Degree. Ultimately, if I were to lose my job, I would either have to leave the country or start my entire immigration process from scratch (many, many $$$).

My children of 7 and 5 years of age are both born US Citizens. I taught them both to read and write in Spanish at the age of 4 and they embrace both their country of birth as well as their heritage.

I think people like me should be cut some slack in their immigration process. In a bit of shameless self promotion I can say that this country needs people like me, for example, I have no accent whatsoever, in fact people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m Venezuelan. Also, my Youtube channel has over 100,000 views on videos that talk about Prime Numbers and Telescope Making (I actually hand ground, polished and figured my telescope's primary mirror). My videos have helped and educated/entertained many people:

http://www.youtube.com/user/carluchoparis

Here is a video that shows the finished scope:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfr39ndgv2o

On a few side notes, I have to renew my license every year, and when I do, I have to wait a few weeks to get the laminated one, meanwhile I get a paper document with no picture… Imagine an officer’s face when you hand him that paper license! Also, my wife is not allowed to work, which would be of immense help and would be very uplifting for her spirit.

Besides all these issues that come with being an H1 immigrant, I’ve made a good life in USA! I can dedicate time to my hobbies, I can ride my bicycle to work every day, I’m not afraid of the violence that is tearing my home land apart and can keep my children away from it.

All in all, thanks for taking me in America! But please cut me some slack, remember this country was built on immigrants with the dream of a new world!