Reporter's Future in Up in the Air Due to Immigration Law

WDEF (Chattanooga) TV reporter's future is up in the air. 

Irish Reporter James Mahon has worked at the station for almost a year, but visa expired and he can't work and his future as a resident in this country is now pending.

"I left yesterday and I knew I couldn't go back. I came in on a 12 month visa and that expired last night at midnight," Mahon told WTVC.

WTVC says that Mahon says he never thought his legal status would come to this. He had already applied for his next visa more than a month ago.

"At the end of August... August 21st, I applied for another visa called an 01, which means you have to prove a level of extraordinary ability."

Some high profile journalists have come through on that same type of visa, but Mahon wonders if his experience will be enough.

"To prove that you're extraordinary at something is hard. I'm in a strange situation.. I'm a pending application and I guess I just have to wait."

In the meantime his life has completely shut down.

"I'm in a situation where I can't work, I can't drive, I can't pay taxes. All I can do is sit and wait and that's what I've been doing. Sitting and waiting is what I've been doing. Until someone, somewhere reads my paperwork and tells me yes or no."

And while he waits, Mahon has grown frustrated with the U.S immigration process.

"I can see why so many people come here illegally. I can see why people stay here illegally. There are no options. I am trying to do things the legal way and I'm left like this."

Mahon says he has enough food and savings to last for the next 3 weeks, but he says that he is unsure of his fate after that.

"You just don't know. I don't know if tomorrow, Friday, or the next day, or next Wednesday, or two weeks from now if I'll hear from my attorney and they'll say no you need to get out of the country," adds Mahon.

And you thought you had a bad week.  

H/T Kevin Eck @TVSpy