Nothing shakes a marriage like the fear of losing a loved one to deportation. For mixed-status couples facing spouse deportation, an immigration notice or detention can change everything. Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically stop removal, but legal options such as adjustment of status, waivers, bond hearings, or cancellation of removal may help families fight deportation and stay together.

In the United States today, more than eight million citizens live with at least one family member, often a parent, who is undocumented....