Immigrant Waiver of Inadmissibility – Extreme Hardship

Reasons for Inadmissibility

There are a variety of reasons why a person might be deemed inadmissible to enter the US. The most common grounds for inadmissibility are:

1. A prior history of criminal activities;
2. The commission of fraud in obtaining a US visa;
3. Prior periods of unlawful presence in the US longer than 6 months, subjecting applicants to a mandatory 3 to 10 year bar from entering the US.

Under certain circumstances it is possible for those applying for immigrant visas to obtain a waiver of inadmissibility. However, each case is unique and often requires a detailed analysis in order to determine the factual basis of inadmissibility, whether the consular decision is correct, the availability of a waiver, and the likelihood of a successful waiver application.

Who Can Apply?

An applicant who is otherwise eligible for an immigrant or K visa, but found inadmissible, may submit form I–601, known as an application for a waiver of inadmissibility. The applicant must be the spouse, son, or daughter of a US citizen or legal permanent resident and be able to demonstrate that his/her inadmissibility is imposing an extreme hardship on his/her US citizen/legal permanent resident relative.

Proving Extreme Hardship

In order to prove "extreme" hardship, an applicant must demonstrate hardship to a qualifying relative (US citizen, or legal permanent resident, spouse or parent) that is unusual and exceeds the suffering that would normally be expected as a result of inadmissibility. The USCIS consider economic detriment; the uprooting of family and separation from friends; and emotional suffering caused by severing of family and community ties to be common results of inadmissibility. Extreme hardship is a difficult standard to satisfy; therefore, it is imperative that the hardship waiver be well documented and carefully prepared.

What is the Process?

An I–601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility form along with supporting documentation is submitted to the consular section at the embassy in which the decision was made. It then forwards the application to the appropriate USCIS office for its review. If the application is denied, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Appeals Office, which may take up to two years to review.

How Does W&A Help?

Because of the complexity of these waivers, it is advisable to retain qualified legal counsel. White & Associates is experienced in dealing with Inadmissibility Waivers. Sometimes an instance may be resolved relatively easily, such as when an erroneous finding of inadmissibility has been made by a consular officer; for example, the reviewing officer mistakenly believed that a person was unlawfully in the United States or inaccurately counted the time of unlawful presence. It is possible to present additional evidence to the officer, his superior, and/or the Department of State in Washington, and the officer can then nullify his original decision. If it is not possible to have a finding rescinded, then comprehensive legal support is needed to prepare the waiver application. We are able to formulate a strategy, clarify and re-construct events, and represent your interests at appropriate embassies and USCIS offices. Preparation of affidavits, legal memoranda, scientific/forensic/medical testimony and opinions, and voluminous supporting evidence are often an integral part of the representation process. Please feel free to contact us so that we may be able to assess your case.