Oops! I overstayed my Visa
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Overstaying your time in the U.S. is no longer overlooked. The issue of overstaying while on a nonimmigrant visa has been getting serious attention in recent years. However, much confusion still exists over the regulations relating to foreign nationals present in the U.S. beyond their authorized period of stay.
Prior to the passage of the 1996 reforms of the U.S. immigration law, persons who overstayed
did not face huge consequences. Even though overstays were deportable and considered to be in the U.S. without legal status, they could still receive a number of immigration benefits. For example, overstays could still Adjust Status upon payment of a civil penalty, they were eligible to apply for Asylum, suspension of Deportation, voluntary departure, and were able in many cases to simply depart from the U.S. and reenter.
However, in the 1996 reforms, the law relating to overstays was drastically changed. The impact of the new law on overstays is particularly harsh. Often foreign nationals who were otherwise eligible for further benefits, such as a work authorized nonimmigrant visa or employment based immigrant visa, are denied the opportunities because of overstaying in the U.S.
http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-Articles/?a=173&z=30