In 2019, DHS is still accepting applications for waivers of old removal, deportation and exclusion orders for people who never departed the U.S., are still here and are eligible for their green card but for their old deportation order. Applicants must show all the positive factors in their favor, such as U.S. or permanent resident spouse, parents or children, work history, medical issues of any family members, the applicant’s important role in taking care of the family, military service of any family members, bad conditions in the native country, etc. The positive factors must outweigh the negative factors including having an outstanding deportation order and never having left the U.S.

So, for example, if an applicant has an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen, and obtains an approved relative petition, the applicant may then apply to waive the old deportation order. Once he or she receives an approval of the I-212 waiver, the applicant is then eligible to file an I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver based on a U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent or spouse who would suffer extreme hardship should they not be allowed to live in the U.S. Those who have only US citizen children will not be able to qualify.

With both the approved I-212 waiver and the approved I-601A waiver in hand, the individual is then ready to go ahead with immigrant visa processing, get an interview date at the US Consulate in his or her home country, and proceed abroad for the interview for an immigrant visa, and then return to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.

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