A new immigration rule went into effect today that will cut down the amount of time families are separated while a relative is getting their green card.
The change will make a huge difference for people who depend on a relative who is undocumented.
Previously, that undocumented relative would have to go abroad for an extended period of time to fix their visa.
But with a new immigration law now in effect families like the Lopez' of Escondido, could apply for what's called a "stateside waiver".
This means Jose could get his green card, while remaining in the U-S without having to leave behind his wife, Silvia and their 3-year-old son.
Silvia became a U.S. Citizen back in 2008 and she works as a hairstylist, Jose works in construction. But keeping his undocumented status a secret, has been difficult.
"What if he gets stopped by the police or someone calls immigration. We always wonder," said Lopez' wife.
But according to their attorney Chris Macaraeg, they have a good chance with this waiver.
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"It's on a case by case basis, but in his case he could prove that it will cause an extreme hardship for him to leave his wife and son," said Macaraeg, an immigration attorney.
He said the waiver will reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives, who are in the process of getting their visa.
Macaraeg said previously people were scared to apply for a visa, because in some cases, they never got to return to the U.S.
But now with this new presidential administration, he said we could see a lot of people take advantage of this new waiver.
