How to Immigrate to the United States

OhioKid asked:

Let’s say a couple come to visit the US from another country but intentionally don’t leave and eventually obtain US legal residence OR US citizenship. When they came, they brought their children, who were minors along with them. The children obtain legal residence OR citizenship AFTER the parents APPLY for the children’s legal residence OR citizenship. The children legally obtain legal residence OR citizenship, but the only reason they obtained this was because their parents had it, and their parents got by lying and deceiving the government. When the children grow up, what happens to them under current US law? Do they get their legal residence or citizenship REVOKED? Do they get deported?

cay_damay asked:

We’re all hearing about people coming over illegally, but it seems to me that people who do things legally have a hard time, waiting for a long time, endless paperwork, etc. Is this true? What does it take to immigrate from Mexico to the US? How much paperwork? How much money? What documents? What personal info? How long approximately does it take? Can the process be sped up for certain individuals, or is everyone in the same boat (no pun intended)? Is it easier to come over as a single person? As a family?

I would just really like to know, since so many people are talking about immigration, a little of what it is like to immigrate.

Stories of personal experience are welcome, especially if it is particularly demonstrative of the system as a whole, as well as factual info with sources, if possible.

Thanks!
ok, I’m not looking for rants against immigrants, legal or illegal, I’m just looking for information on the process of trying to immigrate to the US. I’m not looking for a heated debate!

Scorpion13 asked:

My mother is a US citizen, Im over 21 years old, married, and my preference date was 1986. Also, any immigration consultant you can refer?
By the way, I am from the Philippines