Citizenship for this player has to be a priority. It really is a shame if New England has been sleeping on this for the last 3-4 years. From the broadcast today it sounds as if they have finally begun the naturalization process. At eighteen-years-old he ran all over the LA Galaxy today. He has been thoroughly impressive every time I've seen him play (over the last 2 1/2 years) and now that he is starting it is becoming clear that he is a potentially rare talent. He has the combination of field awareness, technique and speed that hasn't been seen in a young MLS player since one Landon Donovan as a nineteen-year-old. Imaginative, incredibly technical with fantastic close control, and quite fast. But the thing that really sets him apart is that he consistently- and without hesitation- anticipates and makes the right decision in the final third- a rarity in U.S. Soccer. We are starved for incisive wing-play and this kid fits the modern pinched-in winger/second striker mold to perfection. There are a myriad of ways his progress could be derailed- but with a little more physical maturity- at his current trajectory, in my opinion, he will be a bona fide star in 2-3 years. There is a flavor of the week thread on MLS players, but due to his precocious talent, Fagundez deserves his own thread.
I think that ship sailed. Isn't part of the Uruguayan youth set-up? Can't blame him really if that's his heritage.
This is probably going to get closed since Fagundez is a common topic these days, and lots of people have a better grasp of US citizenship rules than me, but... Fagundez does not have a green card. Once he gets one, he will have to wait at least 5 more years to earn US citizenship.
Well, it hasn't necessarily sailed since he hasn't played an official youth tournament for them, but it would still be multiple years until he were eligible for citizenship because he doesn't have a green card by most accounts (at least as of 2012). Already a big thread on the guy here, with info: https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/diego-fagundez.1697862/page-11
In game they were discussing his status. They said he has not heard from Uruguay since he played in a couple matches for them and that now the U.S. may be a more realistic option.
That's the shame of it- that he has been playing as a professional for them since he was 14 or 15 and there appears to be little or no traction on a green card- whether that's down to him or the organization I don't know.
I'm aware of the thread- but due to the fact he is nowhere near citizenship he will never play for the youth national teams. If the broadcast today is anything to go by he may be shifting his focus to the U.S. It is a long time horizon but he is only 18. Obviously, if he becomes as good as I think he can be he may not be in the U.S. long enough to make it a reality. But fan interest may be what's needed to get the ball rolling.
My local congressional representative is a moron and considering that I live in Arizona he probably would try and have Diego deported.
Can an individual obtain a green card under the age of 18 when their family may be here illegally? If not, I am not sure how we could be upset at either Diego or the Revs.
It's interesting that there have been articles on his family's illegal status for the last three years and no apparent deportation activity or blow-back of any kind. Is there something missing from this picture or just a laggard immigration service? From the information on hand it seems they've been hiding in plain sight even as the media advertises their status. Makes me wonder if there's not more to the story.
Big difference between having a green card and being a US citizen. I believe citizenship is required to be eligible for USMNT. A green card just allows you to be in the US as a permanent resident. Some guys I work with became citizens after getting their green cards. Took them about 10 years. Maybe it could be quicker if he marries a US citizen. Does he have parents or other relatives who are US citizens? He could get fast-tracked like David Regis did before WC 1998.
That's not quite best case scenario, best case scenario would be a Nagbe situation. If Fagundez receives his green in the next 12 months and gets married he could be a citizen at 22-23 yrs old. With Diego it basically comes down to whether or not Uruguay ignores him during the next U-20 cycle. If they do then we still stand a slim chance of him playing for the US post World Cup 2018. Either way it's pretty pointless to discuss at this time because there's no chance he suits up for the US before WC 2018 and the odds are still high he never plays for us at all.
As long as he gets his 30 months of permanent residence in after he receives his green card and isn't gone for more than 6 months at a time there after he wouldn't have to stay in MLS five years, more like three. So if he can get a green card in the next 12 months it makes it possible, he would have to stay in MLS through the 2016 season.
US citizenship is required for the team. Since Sept. 11th, fast-tracking of citizenship doesn't happen anymore. It takes 5 years of holding a Green Card to be eligible to apply for citizenship; 3 years if married to an American citizen. And that's AFTER getting a GC, which isn't an easy process -- you have to qualify in some way or win the GC Lottery. And he'll have to do that while considering options to play for better money outside the US AND while not playing in any competitions for Uruguay.
So can someone exaplain how Diego is, or was illegal but signed a professional contract at 15/16 years old?
When Diego got his visa, it's possible that qualified his family for visas as well, since he was under 18. Regardless, USCIS doesn't spend a lot of time tracking down long-term illegals who don't get in trouble with the law. But you'll notice none of the media will come out and say he was here illegally -- you have to connect the dots. (I liken it to gay athletes --- everyone may know, but no one in the press is going to out you unless you specifically say it).
He had to leave the country and applied from Canada for the P-1 visa, hoping that the USCIS would accept the petition. The proper authorities decided that it was within the rules to allow him to return, probably because he was brought to the US at a young age and was still a minor when they applied. There was always the chance he could have been turned down and been forced to go to Uruguay or elsewhere where he would have been accepted (though FIFA rules would limit his choices somewhat).
Best case scenario would be an act of Congress, however I consider that, and Fagundez getting married in the next year or two to be somewhat unrealistic expectations.
Regardless of what anybody will say to the contrary, it is easy enough for our congress to give citizenship rights to those who came here as minors and have grown up and been educated in the USA. We all know these individuals are as American as you and me.