A judge's power to stop deportation and let someone stay.

That sounds simple, but the parts are brutal. "Judge's power" means an immigration judge, not USCIS, and not a favor from the government. "Stop deportation" means stopping a formal removal case that is already moving against someone. "Let someone stay" can mean more than a pause: under Immigration and Nationality Act § 240A, a person may keep or get lawful status if they meet strict rules. For lawful permanent residents, that usually means enough years in status and residence, plus no aggravated felony. For people without a green card, the bar is even nastier: long physical presence, good moral character, and proof that removal would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to a qualifying U.S. citizen or resident relative. That is a very high bar, and plenty of decent people lose.

What most people do not get is that this relief is discretionary. Checking every box does not force the judge to grant it. Bad records, old arrests, unpaid taxes, weak documents, or sloppy testimony can sink the case.

For an injury claim, immigration status can change everything. Someone hurt in Connecticut may delay treatment, skip hearings, or avoid insurance calls out of fear. If removal is canceled, they are in a stronger position to keep getting care, show up for depositions, and follow through on a personal injury claim. If it is denied, removal can wreck the case's timing, proof, and value.