Yes you can! Apply to Immigration and Naturalization - you will need to take a short course and pass a test - then you can become a U.S. citizen.

You've stumbled over a real "Box of Rocks".
The American Federal Government disolved the former "Immigration and Naturalization Service" sometime after 2001 to become two separate agencies, one is for enforcement over illegal aliens and the other is for legal entry.

It has become a sort of olympian hurdle to remain in the United States for...

You've stumbled over a real "Box of Rocks".
The American Federal Government disolved the former "Immigration and Naturalization Service" sometime after 2001 to become two separate agencies, one is for enforcement over illegal aliens and the other is for legal entry.

It has become a sort of olympian hurdle to remain in the United States for any reason other than as a student or a worker ( or unless you can prove that you're filthy rich). The proof is that there are about 20 million illegal immigrants floating about in the USA ... all would love that elusive "Green Card" that seems to fall only into the hands of those with "contacts".
To simply be a "legal resident" you will need 3 things:

1- A legitimate reason for remaining in the USA ( simple desire doesn't cut it anymore, forget about what it says on the Statue of Liberty );

2- A work or student Visa ( you can request a tourist visa also but they're only good for a few months ).

3- a computer in order to fill out all the E- forms that they'll require.

You can also call this Washington D.C. telephone number and if you're lucky they'll help you. Area Code (202) 647- 3072;

Don't expect a simple solution. Most of the times they'll give you a "Government Dot Org " e-mail address or they'll pass you on to a Voice mail telephone number, ultimately informing you that you should go back onto that " Government Dot Org" website. They'll even suggest ( on the Q.T. of course) that it might be wiser to marry an American citizen in order to avoid all the heavy duty red tape. Expect to become frustrated.

In any event, prepare to pay for this, that and the other thing. Have your credit card ready...Good luck ( you'll need it) as this agency is anything but "user friendly".

Oh, It wouldn't hurt to pray for a miracle. Perhaps, the new administration next year will take pity on this deplorable situation and bring back the more humane "Immigration and Naturalization Services" that relied on the human element instead of recordings that were designed disuade you from becoming "legal".