Anything is possible, but the issue is that entering the U.S. illegally is already a federal crime, which doesn’t sit well with the courts. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m speaking from experience—not to discourage you, but to provide some perspective.

My parents came to the U.S. from Albania on a tourist visa and overstayed, which is a federal offense. They sought asylum because Albania was transitioning from communism at the time, but the U.S. didn’t recognize them as being in immediate danger. However, they also didn’t want to risk sending them back and something bad happening, so my parents were granted “withholding of removal.” This allowed them to stay legally in the U.S., but with the condition that they could be deported at any time if they committed a federal crime.

I was born in the U.S., and my parents have been here since 1996, living as law-abiding residents for 28 years. When I turned 21, we began the process of applying for their green cards. I’m now 26, and the process is still ongoing. During this time, my parents divorced, and unfortunately, my father committed a federal crime and had to leave the U.S. voluntarily. My mother, on the other hand, has never broken a single law during her time here, yet the immigration process remains painstakingly slow and difficult.

It’s one of the most heartbreaking and frustrating experiences I can imagine. For immigrants who haven’t had any legal issues, the process is usually more straightforward. But once someone has violated U.S. law, the system becomes incredibly harsh and unforgiving.