Audencio Lopez (center), who crossed the border illegally as a teenager in 1997, is seated with two of his children, Anaias (left), 12, and Mercy, 8, at their home in Lynn, Massachusetts. After going through the immigration court process for seven years, Lopez was told at a court hearing this past fall that the government won't oppose granting him a visa because of his "exemplary" record and community service. But Lopez admits the family's joy is tempered by uncertainty because his wife's immigration status remains unresolved.