I was born in a country where my nationality has to be confirmed once I turn 18. In the dutch side of St. Maarten, the child’s nationality is determined by the country of which the parent is from until the child turns 18. In my case, all my passports and documents say St. Maarten, but for my country of origin and nationality it says Haiti because that is where my parents are from. I have never been there and if I were to be deported, that is where I would be sent to. I came to the United States on my 8th birthday. August 4, 2009 marked the tenth anniversary of my entrance into the states. Unfortunately for me, I came on a visitor’s visa, which I overstayed. I am now 18 and, although I have a social security number, I can not work or pay in-state tuition for school. I also have been denied scholarships that I have earned due to the fact that I am do not qualify as a resident. Fortunately, I did start school this past fall, but I can not afford to continue this spring. I graduated high school among the top 10% of my class and have completed the Licensed Practical Nursing program at my school. Had I the documents to work legally in the United States, I would be able to take my NCLEX-PN, which is the national licensure examination for practical nursing, which would eventually lead to my working here as a licensed practical nurse enabling me to take care of myself financially. I can not complain much, because fortunately for me, my parents are still working, although their authorization for work documentation has long been expired and my dad still drives, though only out of necessity, because his license has been taken away from him. I am not in deportation proceedings, and my family who has a strong religious background keeps praying that it stays that way (so that our family does not get separated). Right now we are just waiting to see what our immigration lawyer says about our appeals, since we have been denied twice before. I have 3 younger brothers: one is graduating next school year, the other came here when he was 3 and has no knowledge of neither his birth land or the land he would otherwise be sent to, and the youngest was born here and is a U.S. Citizen. My brothers are in the same situation as my parents and I. I certainly pray that by the time I graduate and earn my degree, I will be able to work freely and that my peers who are in my situation or worse can see hope in the future.