Chapter 18 Every Choice Comes with a Cost

Alright, Anhui, or Bengbu.

Should have used Nanjing dialect.

This kind of conversation couldn't change the fact that he was just a wanderer, but if used properly, it could still have some effect.

There's a saying in the overseas Chinese community.

Always be wary of fellow countrymen, as they might stab you in the back when you least expect it.

It's true; many people in the Chinese community tend to exploit their own.

Their main job is to deceive their fellow countrymen based on information asymmetry.

These people lack the ability to integrate into foreign environments and can only rely on exploiting immigrant communities for survival.

But there are also good fellow countrymen, and there are quite a lot of them.

After all, with a large population, diversity is inevitable.

Cheng Daqi didn't know what kind of person Li Haiping was specifically.

But naming his shop after himself and having his own daughter work part-time at the front desk meant the probability of being scammed was relatively low.

Without dwelling too much, Cheng Daqi directly talked about his predicament.

"Mr. Li, I'm from Luluo, but because I couldn't get through the immigration process, I ended up coming here illegally."

Upon hearing Cheng Daqi's words, Li Haiping remained unfazed and simply refilled Cheng Daqi's teacup.

"Before coming to the United States, all the information I saw was positive, and I always thought life would be better here.

Now I realize it's not the case at all. You probably understand what I mean.

My biggest problem now is not being able to obtain legal status. I don't expect a green card.

But I'd like to know about applying for a work permit, driver's license, and such.

Basically, I want to know what avenues are available for me to obtain legal status in California as soon as possible."

After explaining his situation and the problems he faced, Cheng Daqi didn't continue.

This kind of straightforward consultation, if Li Haiping couldn't help, Cheng Daqi would find the next one as soon as possible.

He looked at Li Haiping, waiting for the middle-aged boss's response.

The balding boss smiled, wanted to say something but remained silent for a moment.

"You're just like me back then. Ah, there's nothing good about America."

Li Haiping chuckled and began to explain his own experience of settling in the United States.

"At that time, I spent two thousand dollars to get a California driver's license, and life gradually got better after that.

But in recent years, the United States has tightened control on illegal immigrants, dividing driver's licenses into two categories. The one illegal immigrants can obtain cannot be used as identification, only for driving.

This route has been blocked.

The news in China says that with an American driver's license, you can go anywhere, but that refers to licenses issued to those with legal status. Without a visa or legal entry proof, this path is impassable."

After saying these things, Li Haiping picked up his teacup and started sipping his tea.

What's this old guy trying to say? Cheng Daqi naturally wouldn't fail to understand.

He took out a hundred dollars from his pocket and discreetly placed it on the tea table.

"Mr. Li has been working hard in America for so many years; he is considered my senior. But since I've just arrived in the United States, I'm really short of money. Please don't mind the small amount."

The road to obtaining a driver's license has been blocked, but someone as professional as Li Haiping who runs an immigration consultancy surely has a way to help him obtain legal status.

"Haha, you're too polite, too polite. It's not easy for anyone when they're away from home."

Li Haiping laughed and put away the money clip, satisfied to continue.

"After all, the United States is an immigrant country, and its immigration laws are generally welcoming.

There are many ways to stay in the United States as long as you have a valid entry visa, but your options are limited given your current situation.

For you, there are two simplest paths: apply for asylum or obtain a deportation cancellation, both of which are services I can assist you with.

Applying for asylum is the simplest, but few people who choose this route actually manage to stay. This option means you have no way back.

Cancellation of deportation is our main business. It can get you a work permit, which isn't a green card but we like to call it a 'ten-year green card.'

With this type of work permit, theoretically, you can stay in the United States for ten years, and then you'll have a chance to get a green card.

Apart from these two methods, there are several more complex processes, such as a victim visa, changing status after marriage, and a special talent work permit.

I can assist you with these as well, but they come with higher risks, longer processing times, and greater investment."

Gripping the teacup tightly, Cheng Daqi silently pondered Li Haiping's words.

Asylum was not an option for him, as his heart was still with his homeland even though he was physically in America.

The victim visa didn't sound legitimate, and even if he managed to obtain it, it would pose future risks.

The special talent recognition might be worth considering, but it would undoubtedly be costly.

Changing status through marriage seemed like a good choice, but the downside was the lengthy process, which took three years.

After weighing the pros and cons, it seemed that, as Li Haiping said, without a visa, he couldn't move an inch.

His original self didn't even have a tourist visa to the United States; it was truly a letdown.

"Does the cancellation of deportation process take a long time?"

After much contemplation, Cheng Daqi decided to focus on the deportation cancellation route.

"It can take around one hundred and sixty days if it's fast, and up to two hundred days if it's slow. It's a bit lengthy, but the success rate is very high."

Pushing his glasses, Li Haiping explained.

A very high success rate? Does that mean it's not guaranteed to succeed?

It's so troublesome for an illegal immigrant to obtain legal status.

Cheng Daqi's current situation was that he was trapped in the identity of the original self, a wanderer.

Unlike other American wanderers, he had no records of misconduct, but he still found it difficult to obtain any form of identity.

"Actually, there's another idea. Would you like to hear it?"

Noticing Cheng Daqi's dilemma, Li Haiping suggested another method.

"Please tell me."

"It's like this: you could go to Canada or Mexico, then return to your home country and try to get a visa. Any visa will do; as long as you have a visa, things will be much easier."

Li Haiping's suggestion was indeed a good one.

But

Cheng Daqi glanced at the system's task and sighed as he shook his head.

For others, this method could be used without any issue, but Cheng Daqi still hadn't claimed his newbie rewards.

More importantly, there was the opportunity awarded by the system's task to choose an optional identity.

This reward was invaluable.

For example, choosing to be recognized as an old Angsan person, born in America.

This could open up endless possibilities for Cheng Daqi.

"Let's put this new idea aside for now, Mr. Li. Isn't there any shortcut to obtaining legal status quickly?"

"I'm afraid not, Cheng. The immigration authorities aren't easy to deal with. I advise you to be realistic. Cancelling deportation can be done multiple times, and the American judicial system is slow; with enough delays, your chances of success are quite high."

Leaving Li Haiping's immigration consultation, Cheng Daqi looked up calmly at the sky of St. Loth.

Without legal status, he was struggling here, but with the system, the future was full of endless possibilities.

The road is long and arduous; better return to the Red Street.

Keep feet on the ground and continue begging.