Richard Rok

Thank you all for your replies!

Now I'm embarrassed to say I left out one bit of information: My girlfriend's daughter currently has DACA protection and is studying in a university here in the U.S. 

From my limited research on Visa Journey it seems DACA will not in any way help my girlfriend but may help her daughter to finish college and perhaps even work in the U.S. afterward. Does that sound correct?

Thanks again everyone!

My girlfriend and her daughter entered the US from Mexico on a tourist visa in 2004. They overstayed by 15 years. In 2012 my girlfriend's husband's sister filed an I-130 petition for him (and presumably or by extension for my girlfriend and her daughter). But then two years ago my girlfriend and her husband divorced. Their daughter is now 19. My suspicion is the daughter will age out and won't be able to take advantage of the I-130. My assumption is my girlfriend will realize no benefit from it since she is divorced from her husband. So I imagine that brings her back to square one with a need to file some other petition (or for me to file one for her). Does that seem to ring true to you? 

I have only now begun to research this and wonder whether you might have any advice for me/her/us? For instance, should I go see a lawyer now regarding these I-130 issues? Or are they so clear (and clearly not in my girlfriend's favor) that I would be wasting money by paying a lawyer for his/her advice?

Thanks!