Quoting mr_mopski 1) If the wife was to return to her country, what would be the chances of her being allowed back in to the US? Would she face a 10-year bar? As your lawyer probably told you, in all likelihood yes. Quoting mr_mopski 2) If the immigration reforms we hear about are passed, can she benefit from them? It's hard to say - with a complete changeover of control in Congress, all bets are off as to what the immigration bill may contain. Quoting mr_mopski 3) Is there anything we could do change her status without her leaving the country? Probably not. I assume that's what your lawyer told you?