The Top 5 Reasons You Need an Immigration Lawyer for Your I-601 Waiver

schedule a consultation

The Top 5 Reasons You Need an Immigration Lawyer for Your I-601 Waiver

An I-601 waiver allows those found inadmissible to the United States under specific grounds to obtain certain immigration benefits. To qualify, you must be able to prove that being denied entry to the U.S. would cause extreme hardship to your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. 

If you’re planning to apply for an I-601 waiver, you might wonder whether you need to work with an immigration lawyer. Although it’s certainly not required, working with an immigration lawyer significantly increases the chances of your I-601 waiver getting approved. 

Here are five essential reasons you should consider hiring a lawyer for your case.

Immigration lawyers have in-depth training in immigration law.

Immigration lawyers have in-depth training and an understanding of immigration law. Immigration law is very complex; immigration policies and regulations constantly change, making it difficult for even the most well-versed layman to know what precisely applies to their case. 

I-601 waivers can be difficult to get approved and must be filed correctly; otherwise, your case could be significantly delayed or denied. An immigration attorney can help you determine whether this is the proper waiver for your situation and advise you on the requirements. At Ranchod Law Group, we take time to prepare a detailed legal brief and help you gather the proper documentation to support your case. 

Immigration lawyers can help you make more informed decisions.

An immigration lawyer can help you decide whether an I-601 waiver is right for you by helping you weigh the pros and cons. For example, the waiver process can be very complex and time-consuming—and there’s no guarantee that the waiver will get approved. In addition, since you’ll be required to pay fees to USCIS, it can also be costly. 

An immigration lawyer can help strengthen your case.

During the I-601 waiver process, you’ll be required to provide evidence that proves your immediate relative would suffer extreme hardship if you’re subjected to the ten-year ban. An immigration lawyer can help strengthen your case by presenting specific, detailed examples of the hardships that would result from your inadmissibility—some of which might not be immediately apparent to you. 

An immigration lawyer can help you prepare for the interview with the consulate officer.

An immigration lawyer can help you prepare for your interview by:

  • Review your case and determine which documents and evidence you should bring. 
  • Advise you on the questions you might be asked and how to answer them. 
  • Practice the interview using sample questions and give you feedback.  
  • Review your documents for accuracy and completion. 
  • Represent you during the interview at the consulate.

If your waiver is denied, an immigration lawyer can help you appeal the decision.

An immigration lawyer can review why your waiver was denied and determine whether it’s worth appealing. If you have grounds for an appeal, they can help you prepare the required documents and represent you during the appeal process. 

Essentially, an immigration lawyer provides advice and representation that can significantly increase the chances of your case being approved. 

Which Grounds of Inadmissibility Can Be Waived?

Some of the most common grounds of inadmissibility that can be waived include the following:

  • Health-related grounds (e.g., communicable diseases or mental health disorders)
  • Criminal grounds (e.g., drug offenses or crimes involving moral turpitude 
  • Security grounds (e.g., terrorism, espionage)
  • Public charge (e.g., likely to become a public charge
  • Labor certification and qualifications for certain immigrant visas
  • Unlawful presence in the United States

An I-601 Waiver Success Story

I-601 hardship waivers are one of our focuses at Ranchod Law Group, and we’ve successfully helped countless clients overcome inadmissibility so they could be reunited with their loved ones. 

One of our more recent cases involved a client who had entered the U.S. legally but remained in the country illegally for several years before leaving voluntarily. After our client left the U.S., he married a U.S. citizen. Unfortunately, he was subjected to the ten-year bar and denied his immigrant visa request. We filed the client’s I-601 waiver, citing his American citizen spouse as his qualifying relative. 

We argued that the client’s spouse would suffer extreme hardship if he were denied entry to the U.S. due to his spouse’s declining mental health and inability to start a family. His case was approved in just over six months. 

Get Assistance with Your I-601 Waiver

If you or a loved one would like to apply for an I-601 hardship waiver, the experienced team at Ranchod Law Group is here to help. We’ll begin by understanding your case thoroughly, then take the time to discuss your options and answer any questions you have. Contact us today at (916) 613-3553 to schedule a consultation, or email us at info@ranchodlaw.com.