"Can you tell me what the status of an illegal immigrant becomes when a judge says they can't be deported?"
That is a very good question. This is where AI shines. So. I took your question and put it to AI.
And as you can see it's not a simple answer. And depends on many variables.
AI Overview
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If an immigration judge says a person cannot be deported, their legal status changes depending on the reason the case was terminated. If the judge grants relief like asylum or adjusts their status to lawful permanent residence, they become legal. If the government fails to meet its burden of proof, the case may be terminated without prejudice, but this doesn't grant legal status and they could be put into removal proceedings again.
Possible outcomes and status changes
Case termination: The case is ended. The individual is no longer in removal proceedings, but this does not grant legal status by itself.
Adjusting status: The individual may be able to adjust their status to a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) through a family member or employer.
Asylum or other relief: The individual may be granted protection from deportation through asylum or other forms of relief, which can lead to permanent residency after a certain period.
Stay of removal: In some cases, even if a final removal order is issued, the government might grant a "stay of removal" for humanitarian reasons. This is not the same as legal status, but it allows the person to remain in the U.S. and may come with a work permit and an order of supervision.
Potential for re-initiation: If the judge's termination is "without prejudice," the government can file a new "Notice to Appear" and start a second attempt at removal.