{"id":4137,"date":"2026-03-25T18:45:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspiraimmigrationlaw.com\/frequently-asked-questions-about-immigration\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T17:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T22:58:11","slug":"frequently-asked-questions-about-immigration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inspiraimmigrationlaw.com\/en\/frequently-asked-questions-about-immigration\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Can I fix my immigration status if I entered the U.S. illegally?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n Possibly \u2014 and you're not alone in asking this question. Whether you can adjust your status depends on several factors, including how you entered, whether you have a qualifying family member or employer willing to sponsor you, and whether any bars to admissibility apply to your case. Some people who entered without inspection may qualify through a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child using a process called Consular Processing combined with a waiver. Others may have options through humanitarian relief, such as VAWA or a U Visa. The first step is understanding exactly where you stand. At Inspira, we'll review your full history and map out every avenue available to you \u2014 honestly and clearly. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Can I get papers if my child is a U.S. citizen?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n In some situations, yes \u2014 but the path depends on your child's age and your own immigration history. A U.S. citizen child can file a petition for a parent, but they must be at least 21 years old to do so. If you have accrued unlawful presence, you may also face bars that require a waiver before you can complete the process. The good news: waivers exist for exactly these situations. At Inspira, we help parents understand their real options \u2014 not just the general rule, but what it means for your specific family. Your child's future in this country matters to us too. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What happens if I marry a U.S. citizen but entered illegally?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n Marriage to a U.S. citizen is one of the most common paths to a green card \u2014 but entering without inspection does create legal complications that must be handled carefully. Depending on your case, you may need to leave the U.S. to complete the process through Consular Processing, which could trigger a bar on re-entry. However, an I-601A provisional waiver may allow you to apply for forgiveness before you leave, minimizing the time you're separated from your family. Every situation is different. At Inspira, we'll walk you through exactly what to expect and build a strategy designed to keep your family together. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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How long does it take to get a green card?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n The honest answer: it varies \u2014 sometimes significantly. For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21), there is no wait for a visa number, so the process can take anywhere from 8 months to over 2 years depending on USCIS backlogs and whether you're adjusting status inside the U.S. or going through Consular Processing. For other family categories or employment-based green cards, wait times can stretch several years due to annual visa limits. At Inspira, we track current processing times closely and will give you a realistic picture of your specific timeline \u2014 because your life plans deserve honest answers, not guesses. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Can I work while my immigration case is pending?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n In many cases, yes. If you have a pending adjustment of status application, you may be eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as a work permit. Certain visa categories, humanitarian protections like TPS, and U Visa applicants may also have work authorization options. The key is knowing which pathway applies to you and filing at the right time. At Inspira, we help clients secure their work permits as part of a broader strategy \u2014 so you can continue supporting your family while your case moves forward. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What happens if I miss immigration court?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n Missing an immigration court date is serious \u2014 but it is not always the end of the road. If you miss a hearing, the judge will typically issue an in absentia removal order, meaning you can be deported without being present. However, you may be able to file a Motion to Reopen the case if you can show that you did not receive proper notice of the hearing or that exceptional circumstances prevented you from attending. Time matters here \u2014 the sooner you act, the more options you have. If this has happened to you, contact our team right away. We have experience with immigration court motions and know how to fight for a second chance. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Can a deportation order be reopened years later?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n Yes, in some circumstances. A final order of removal is not always permanent. If new evidence has come to light, if the law has changed, or if you can show that your original proceedings had serious errors, it may be possible to file a Motion to Reopen or Reconsider \u2014 even years after the fact. Cases involving domestic violence, asylum claims, or ineffective assistance of counsel may have special pathways. This is complex legal territory, but people succeed every day. At Inspira, we handle motions before immigration judges and know what it takes to build a compelling case for reopening. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What is the 10-year bar in immigration law?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n If you remained in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year and then left \u2014 voluntarily or otherwise \u2014 you may face a 10-year bar on returning. This means that even if you have a qualifying family member ready to petition for you, you cannot re-enter the U.S. for a decade unless you receive a waiver. The good news is that waivers are available for people who can demonstrate that their qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative would suffer extreme hardship without them. At Inspira, we have deep experience preparing I-601A waiver applications \u2014 and we know how to tell your family's story in a way that gives you the best possible chance. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Can immigration forgive unlawful entry?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n This is one of the most common questions we hear \u2014 and the answer is: it depends, but there are real pathways. Unlawful entry itself is a ground of inadmissibility, but Congress created forgiveness mechanisms precisely because life circumstances are complex. Waivers such as the I-601 and I-601A exist to allow people to overcome these bars when they have qualifying family members in the U.S. and can demonstrate hardship. Humanitarian protections like VAWA, the U Visa, and asylum may also provide relief for those who qualify. You deserve to know what's actually available to you \u2014 not just the obstacles. That's what we're here for. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Can I travel if my immigration case is pending?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n This depends entirely on your current immigration status and what type of case is pending. Traveling outside the U.S. without the proper authorization while an adjustment of status application is pending can result in abandonment of your case. However, if you have an approved Advance Parole document, you may be able to travel and return without jeopardizing your application. Asylum applicants, DACA recipients, and TPS holders each face their own set of rules. Before making any travel plans, please speak with an immigration attorney. The risk of a wrong step here can be severe \u2014 and at Inspira, we'll make sure you understand exactly where you stand before you go anywhere. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What is TPS and do I qualify?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian protection granted by the U.S. government to nationals of designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS allows eligible individuals to live and work legally in the U.S. for a set period. Countries on the TPS list change over time, and eligibility depends on your nationality, continuous residence in the U.S., and other factors. At Inspira, we stay current on TPS designations and can quickly assess whether this protection may be available to you or a loved one. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What is a U Visa, and who qualifies?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n A U Visa is a humanitarian visa designed for victims of serious crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and have been helpful \u2014 or are willing to be helpful \u2014 to law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting that crime. If you have been the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, or other qualifying crimes, you may be eligible. The U Visa not only provides legal status but can also eventually lead to a green card. At Inspira, we handle U Visa cases with particular care and sensitivity \u2014 because your safety and dignity matter as much as your legal outcome. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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What is VAWA and can it help me?<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n VAWA \u2014 the Violence Against Women Act \u2014 provides a pathway to legal status for victims of battery or extreme cruelty committed by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. Importantly, VAWA protections apply to both women and men, and you can file without your abuser's knowledge or cooperation. If you have experienced abuse in your home and are undocumented or in a temporary status, you may have more options than you realize. At Inspira, we handle VAWA cases with the confidentiality and compassion they deserve. You don't have to stay in an unsafe situation to stay in this country. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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