After 21 years living undocumented in the United States, this Venezuelan immigrant’s story challenges common misconceptions about immigration. Despite his status, he consistently filed taxes, contributed to the economy, and sought legal pathways—only to be exploited by scammers posing as immigration experts. His experience highlights the complex reality many immigrants face: working hard, paying taxes, and attempting to navigate a confusing legal system while living in constant fear of deportation. After spending thousands of dollars on fraudulent legal services that only delayed his progress, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program finally provided him a path to work legally in 2021. This is one of millions of stories that demonstrate how immigrants contribute to our society regardless of their status, often for decades before finding a legal pathway.