I have heard stories of people with a pending I-485 application being put into deportation proceedings. Aren’t you allowed to stay in the U.S. based on a pending I-485?

Answer

Generally speaking, a person with a pending I-485, who is not maintaining their underlying nonimmigrant status, is considered to be in a period of authorized stay. Unfortunately, we have received reports that the Trump Administration is putting some people in this situation in removal (i.e., deportation) proceedings because they do not hold any valid nonimmigrant status. (12.Aug.2025)

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