My girlfriend came from Peru to US on 2006 with a J-1 visa issued to stay just 4 months with permission to work and travel inside US territory. She overstayed this visa and is currently living in California. She doesn't know much about her situation neither how is her status now, is she consider illegal immigrant though she came trough an airport with a peruvian passport and a US visa?. She is aware she broke the immigration law by staying but is afraid of getting help and doesn't have enough money to get an attorney. Not seeking for love, she met an American Citizen and they are now living a romantic relationship. They would like to get married, but now there are big doubts of what the destiny of this cute couple going to be. Will she be able to get the American residence and further on get a citizenship? What are the steps to take? How long does it take?

