For 12 years, Julio Rosell has lived, worked and paid taxes from his roomy, idyllic Hollywood home -- his lawn freshly mowed; his two cars polished; his boat luxurious.

He fathered two American-born children: 10-year-old Jeannette and 9-year-old Julio Jr.

As a Cuban exile, he expected his American dream to continue.

But now Rosell finds himself in a situation unfamiliar to most Cuban exiles. His immigration status is in limbo.

The 41-year-old Havana native lost his bid for a green card because he came to the United States as a stowaway. While he won't likely be deported, he cannot legally drive or work now.

''No one seems to care,'' said his wife, Caroline Rosell, whose own status depends on her husband's. ``My husband has no driver's license, mine's about to expire and we are supposed to be supporting two kids financially. I wonder how they really expect us to live -- without papers or a driver's license.''

In the decade he adjusted to the American way of life, no one told Rosell he shouldn't be here.