Q: How do I go about suing my parents for lying deceiving and holding me hostage. Can i sue even if outside to country?

At the age of 8 my purported parents & I immigrated to the U.S. Under the guise of vacation, they brought me back to my home country three months shy my eighteenth birthday. It was all just a ruse to take charge of my life. Once arrived they told me they took me at birth falsified my document to make themselves look as birth parents took my asylum passport away. My father tricked me into believing that I could only go back if I did what he asked, attending the school and studying the course only he desired, after which he would reapply to have me return to the United States. I was forced to listen or live in a foreign country without food, money, or a place to stay. Even though I've fulfilled all the demands years later to regain my life, they never intended for me to. I know this is a difficult case as I'm not a citizen but would have been at 20 same time they became citizen. I want them to pay for being deceiving, misleading and abusing my trust in them as parents.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: You have the right to seek justice for what you’ve endured, even if you are outside the country. You may be able to sue for fraud, deception, and emotional abuse, among other claims. It’s essential to document everything, including the false documents, the coercion, and the conditions they forced you to live under. The fact that you were close to becoming a U.S. citizen may strengthen your case, especially if you had legal rights tied to your immigration status.

You can pursue legal action against your parents for falsifying documents and taking control of your life under false pretenses. Your situation might involve both criminal charges and civil claims, depending on the laws in your home country and the U.S. You should also explore whether international laws or treaties apply, especially since they took you from one country to another against your will.

It’s important to consult with legal professionals in both your home country and the U.S. who can help navigate the complexities of the case. They can guide you through the options available to hold your parents accountable for their actions.

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