When Blanca, 49, found out her immigration court case was thrown out, she let out a sigh of relief. Blanca, originally from Mexico and who asked to be identified by first name because of her immigration status, has another pathway to citizenship through her kids who are old enough to sponsor her. Due to Biden administration immigration policy implemented last year that aims to cut down the record 3.4 million immigration court backlog by dismissing court cases through prosecutorial discretion, a longstanding authority that allows agencies to decide how to focus their resources. Ever since her husband had a stroke two years ago, Blanca has been overwhelmed by doctors appointments and medical bills. Then, a driver rear-ended her in August 2023 and she broke her pelvis. A looming immigration case has only heightened her stress. Blanca, originally from Querétaro, Mexico, has lived in Houston for more than 30 years. Here, she’s built her American dream, cleaning houses while her husband installed septic systems. Their four kids, ages 21 to 30, all graduated from high school and the two youngest hope to go to college soon. If Blanca argued her asylum case in court and lost, she could be ordered deported and sent back to a country she hasn’t known for three decades. Throwing out the case is a win-win for Blanca and for the backlogged immigration system. A judge responsible for hundreds of cases can lighten their caseload by getting a case that is not an enforcement priority off the docket. Blanca avoids a deportation order while she takes steps to legalize her status through another agency, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.