This is a personal case, we are fighting for our family, but I know we are not alone in this type of situation. Many immigrant families have faced the same, and we are reaching out for support in hopes that this will also bring us one step closer to improved immigration policies and procedures for others.

My mom, Irena Hughes, an outstanding and inspirational woman, a caregiver to the elderly, a leader in her community, has lived in this country for over 17 years. She is married to a US citizen for 12 years and has raised myself and sister here. For a long time now, she's been in the arduous process of obtaining her residency in the United States. Her life, goals, co-workers, friends and family are all here and would be devastated without the motivation and support she provides.

Years ago, her petition for residency, or form I-130, was actually approved. Erroneously having never received notification of the approval however, she was unable to take the proper steps in order to complete the process of becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Consequently, she is now in a position where having to leave behind her home of almost two decades would not only take away the life she's worked so hard to make but tear apart our family. Please show your support in asking USCIS to help grant my mom her residency.