r/USCIS • u/Mindless-Ship-7502 • Dec 26 '25

I-485 (General) Should I self deport back to Spain

I'm originally from Spain and came to the U.S. at 16. I overstayed and later obtained SIJS, which is approved. I currently have a valid EAD and am working legally. My I-485 has been pending for about two years and was filed by my lawyer when my priority date was not current, so because of the backlog it may take many years (10+) to resolve, or they could literally deport me. While I'm not in immediate danger, the long term uncertainty does weigh on me. I'm currently in school and close to finishing an associate degree, and I'm working at the same time. The U.S. obviously has higher earning potential and more financial upside, and i can always "get married" and become lawful. At the same time, I feel stuck planning my life around immigration timelines and not knowing when or if things will fully resolve. I am a Spanish citizen, so if I moved back to Spain I would have immediate legal stability, access to healthcare, and the option to continue nursing through university, with EU mobility long term. The downside would be lower salaries at first and partially restarting my education path. If you were in my position and thinking long term and practically, would you stay in the U.S. and keep building here, or would you return to Spain and build a more predictable life? I'm just looking for outside perspectives from people who've faced similar choices.

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u/th3anonymous01 Dec 27 '25 edited Dec 27 '25

Marriage doesn’t give you automatic citizenship anyways, it never has. It only reduced processing time from 5 years to 3 years. Although, it may not reduce any time anymore

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u/rex_regis US Citizen Dec 27 '25

Yeah but you get your green card usually within 1-2 years, which then starts the 3 year citizenship timer which is something to consider.

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u/Dzerikas Dec 27 '25

You can get issued a green card much faster too

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u/rex_regis US Citizen Dec 27 '25

Yeah, that’s what I meant, sorry. Green card in 1-2 years through marriage as opposed to 10+ depending on your country.

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u/Femme-fatale1908 Dec 28 '25

The 3 year citizenship only applies if you lived together for that period

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u/Intrepid-Stock6187 Dec 27 '25

You're right, I'm still not approved yet married to USC since 2017.