I-601 WAIVER UPDATES

[Delgado15 0]

My lawyer is just about to start our waiver (For my husband) We are waiting on our first interview (Expecting to be denied) How does this waiver work? And what is an expected wait time for approval or denial after doing the paper work? ANY ADVICE TIPS would be nice We are currently in mexico if that helps any

[Jonando 3]

Hi Delgado15 ,

I was wondering why you say you are expecting to be denied...

I can tell you my experience with our 601A wavier...in October 2015 me and my husband were in Ciudad Juarez waiting for his biometrics, medical and then the US Consulate interview. The 601A was approved prior to going to Juarez so we expected things to go in our favor. We sat on the hotel patio with other couples a night listening to everyone's suggestions...some people were approved for their green card and some were denied. After my husband completed his medical, I think it was the following day he went to pick up the "results" before going to his interview the day after that. Something was different about his results packet than other people's...his was just a bunch of papers...other people had their information in sealed envelopes. We knew deep inside that something was not going right, but hoped for the best. My husband was told at the interview that he needed to be seen by a therapist because of his medical results. No one explained what happened or why; he returned with the dreaded "blue papers" we were warned about...they said nothing specific. After consulting our attorney we believed the reason for denial was an old DUI charge he had in 2008 (although we were advised the Consulate only goes back 5 years for DUIs). My husband stated during his interview he was asked if he EVER used drugs. My husband answered honestly, and noted he had experimented once with marijuana and once with cocaine when he was a teenager (he is 45 now). Then he was asked about his first and only DUI; again he answered honestly. He was also asked if he continues to drink; he mentioned he drinks occasionally with his friends on the weekends. He was then asked if he drives after drinking. He answered honestly saying yes, but noted he is always under the legal limit. In those "blue papers" it claimed my husband is a threat to US Citizens' persons and property. We can only guess this is because he was asked leading questions that made him sound as if he was an alcoholic. ALSO the United States does not look approvingly at anyone who drinks and drives (under or over the legal limit). So I hope that helps you in some way. My advise to you would be to be honest in the interview BUT do not answer in such a way that it sets you up for failure. Since that experience in Juarez we have sent in a 601 wavier, my husband has ceased drinking, and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (also has papers signed at the meetings to showing his attendance). Good luck to you and your significant other...I am praying for you guys!

[Delgado15 0]

From what we have gathered from my lawyer (She thinks that because my husband was in the U.S illegal for 10 years and entered without inspection) He will be denied and put on a 10 year bad from entering the U.S So the next step is the waiver

& Omg! I cant imagine how you and your husband felt after finding out you were denied! This is truly sad! I hope you get this all fixed and he is able to enter the U.S again!!!! My husband has never been in any trouble He has one speeding ticket and we own a gym and are health freaks so dont really drink either So i can only pray this does not happen to us or anything else! I will be a complete mess and not sure how i will be able to deal with it IF my husband is denies! This scares the life out of me!!!! Did you have two interviews? How long apart were yours? And how long did you have to stay in juarez?? Im so afraid of juarez i live in mexico state and the crime rate is so bad i never leave my house So im worried juarez will be the same also i have a 10month old baby i will need to take with me to juarez and thats freaks me out even more

[Jonando 3]

Oh belpatsb I am so sorry things are so difficult for you guys. I am sad that this ugly process has caused a loss of hope and a possible divorce. It is a nightmare to go through! I wish I had a magic wand that could fix everything. I was looking at the timeline you had listed things seem a little jumbled. I am sure you guys have an attorney...have you spoke with the attorney about your intentions to divorce? You are in my heart and prayers

[Jonando 3]

Hi again Delgado15 my husband lived in the US illegally for 12 years! They did not give him a 10 year bar. They scheduled his next medical in September this year. He has only had one interview with the Consulate so far. Our attorney advised we had to submit the 601 wavier, and would be scheduled a second interview after (hopefully) pending approval of that wavier. Ciudad Juarez was not the war zone I expected. We were on guard though. As long as we stayed near the US Consulate we felt safe. Our hotel was across the street (City Junior), and we ate at restaurants near the hotel...making sure we were inside the hotel before dark. I did not like that his medical exam was scheduled early in the morning so we had to leave the hotel one morning right before sunrise, but there were security guards around. Use common sense...you will be ok. Me and my husband made the most of our time together. We did not spend much time talking about all of the immigration stuff...we tried to keep things light and fun (as much as possible). We also made plans to visit his family after going to Juarez (he had not seen them for 12 years)...even if the results were good or not. I am glad we did that together. It was difficult enough to leave him behind...I couldn't imagine doing that straight from Juarez...at least I know I left him with his family. Whatever the outcome for you guys stay close to your God and you will make it through. This website has been and is a blessing to me...so many helpful people here!

[Happyfaces 1]

LionessDeon & Jonando thank you so much for your support, my marriage needs a miracle. The pain is great, is a nightmare. Thank you for your prayers.

[Jonando 3]

belpatsb...special prayers coming your way now! I think part of immigration's plan is to frustrate people to the point that they lose hope and quit trying...don't let them win!!!! Good night sweetie...hang in there.

[Manzanita23 0]

Hola soy nueva en el grupo, tengo algunas semanas que descubrí este sitio y me a interesado mucho gracias a todos por compartir su experiencia. Bueno mi esposo lleva 5 años y medio fuera del país yo al principio me fui a vivir con él pero la verdad que nos pasaron tantas cosas que después de dos años me regrese y se me a hecho muy difícil estar así. Hemos discutido mucho y me da mucha tristeza cuando me pongo a ver mi situación de estar casada pero parecer que estoy dejada porque no puedo llevar una vida de soltera pero tampoco tengo a mi esposo conmigo es una desesperacion especialmente cuando ya sea a él o a mí a quien nos suceden cosas y no estamos cercas para apoyarnos el uno al otro. Animo nadie se desanime si no mejor busquemos que podemos aprender de esta situación y a ser positivos. Estaba muy triste pero últimamente e optado por vivir mi vida diferente y redescubrir más mi fe he tratado de acercarme a ese ser supremo Dios y así se me ha hecho todo mejor más llevadera la situación. No les demos gusto de divorciarnos a nadie porque tristemente el demonio y los racistas sería lo que quisieran porque así sería un imigrante menos en este país y un matrimonio destronado más. Dios solo nos da lo que podemos soportar. Bien dicho esto mi perdón lo metí en febrero, pero mi esposo tuvo su cita desde agosto así que lo más probable es quetemgamos que hacer los exámenes médicos de nuevo, Deceo con to mi corazón que no nos demos nadie por vencidos y que todo nos salga bien.

[Manzanita23 0]

So I am new to this my husband has been outside of the USA for five years now and it's has been very difficult for both of us. We constantly argue but in the long run we make up cuz we know we want to be together but the situation is killing us. I can just say let's not give up and try to find the positive side of this. I have try to focus in my faith and be closer to God this has help. Broken marriage is what the evil want and I am not letting him win the battle also racist people would want that so there be less Inmigrats. Focus on what you have learn or done during this time that you thing you wouldn't have achieve if you weren't in the situation you are. Let's have hope and be cheer ful we God only gives us what he knows we can support. Analyze your life pray and be positive everything happens for a reason and we all eventually can be all reunited with or love ones. To give some background on my case my husband had his appointment in ciudad Juarez in August and we submitted his waiver in February we are just waiting at the time

[LionessDeon 2,060]

My lawyer is just about to start our waiver (For my husband) We are waiting on our first interview (Expecting to be denied) How does this waiver work? And what is an expected wait time for approval or denial after doing the paper work? ANY ADVICE TIPS would be nice We are currently in mexico if that helps any

The wait time has almost doubled in the past year. It used to take approximately 4 mos for a waiver to be completed. It now takes 6-8 mos. our waiver was rec'd by USCIS in August 2015. Got an RFE in February. Responded end of March and we are still waiting for resolve. Good Luck with your case.

[findingnemo 0]

The wait time has almost doubled in the past year. It used to take approximately 4 mos for a waiver to be completed. It now takes 6-8 mos. our waiver was rec'd by USCIS in August 2015. Got an RFE in February. Responded end of March and we are still waiting for resolve. Good Luck with your case.

Yes, what is happening with this ridiculous wait time? Our waiver was submitted in July 2015 and we heard nothing so far. I sent two service requests but still nothing!! not even RFE... very frustrating.

I heard 601A gets response faster than criminal based 601. I guess this is the reason why ours is taking much longer.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Yes, what is happening with this ridiculous wait time? Our waiver was submitted in July 2015 and we heard nothing so far. I sent two service requests but still nothing!! not even RFE... very frustrating.

I heard 601A gets response faster than criminal based 601. I guess this is the reason why ours is taking much longer.

I don't think that is true. Ours was a criminal waiver. USCIS received it 08/04/15. RFE 02/12/016. RFE response received 03/25/16.

It's been almost a month since they received our RFE reply and nothing......

We now only have 5 months left on our new medical exam (that's what the RFE was). I don't know why they are working so slow! I just talked to my fiance and we were debating on send in an inquiry request or not.

[Happyfaces 1]

Jonando, Thank you so much for your prayers... believe me i am praying because i don't want this situation destroy our family. But immigration doesn't care about family and how difficult this is.

[Delgado15 0]

Hi again Delgado15 my husband lived in the US illegally for 12 years! They did not give him a 10 year bar. They scheduled his next medical in September this year. He has only had one interview with the Consulate so far. Our attorney advised we had to submit the 601 wavier, and would be scheduled a second interview after (hopefully) pending approval of that wavier. Ciudad Juarez was not the war zone I expected. We were on guard though. As long as we stayed near the US Consulate we felt safe. Our hotel was across the street (City Junior), and we ate at restaurants near the hotel...making sure we were inside the hotel before dark. I did not like that his medical exam was scheduled early in the morning so we had to leave the hotel one morning right before sunrise, but there were security guards around. Use common sense...you will be ok. Me and my husband made the most of our time together. We did not spend much time talking about all of the immigration stuff...we tried to keep things light and fun (as much as possible). We also made plans to visit his family after going to Juarez (he had not seen them for 12 years)...even if the results were good or not. I am glad we did that together. It was difficult enough to leave him behind...I couldn't imagine doing that straight from Juarez...at least I know I left him with his family. Whatever the outcome for you guys stay close to your God and you will make it through. This website has been and is a blessing to me...so many helpful people here!

Hi thank you for your reply

As far as the 10 year bad From what my lawyer has said me me It is because he illegally entered in the U.S and he stayed over one year! I know their is another type of ban for 2 or 3 years but you would have had to stay i think 6months.... So From what im understanding is we have to do the waiver (Extreme hardship) To life the 10 years ban This is all so confusing to me ... Im now left wondering IF we even ever needed a waiver? Could we have a chance at our first interview to be approved? We both have no criminal background He has never been deported he has entered illegally once and stayed for 10 years than left on his own We have a 10 month old baby together and we are married So WHY do we need a waiver?? Can anyone help me out a little im confussed

[Jonando 3]

Good evening Delgado15, I could be totally wrong on this, and I am sure someone on here will correct me...lol...

Yes, you need to have a wavier approved...there apparently is no way to skip this.

I believe the wavier is mainly for 2 reasons...1) to ask the US government to "wave" the fact that a person is illegal (acknowledge they have been in the USA illegally and forgive that person for coming illegally) and two, to generate income for the government (foreign and US). Think about the millions of people who pay all these fees (processing fees, medical fees, attorney fees and so on)...some people pay more than once for everything! When me and my husband were in Juarez we counted around 40 people in about 2 seconds going down the street in front of the US Embassy one morning...now multiple this by all the fees paid..millions and millions of dollars...it is going in someone pocket.

One thing I don't understand is demanding these fees be paid in order to become legal...it is difficult to do when you have little money (like me and my husband). The first time was hard...now we are paying everything again...the thousands of dollars we have spent is overwhelming and has left us in a financial hole. Poor people (I am including myself in this) don't have this kind of money. I wish there was help. I asked my attorney about having the filing fees waived due to financial hardship, but 601 waivers are not eligible...crazy! Maybe one day this will change...I doubt it.

Proving extreme hardship is just as expensive...there are doctor visits, copies of papers that need to be made, driving back and forth to get "evidence", cost of translating papers into English, and on and on. Writing the extreme hardship paper is time consuming, scary and another full time job on top of everything else. When preparing to write the paper I searched online for examples of extreme hardship letters. If you Google for them you will find papers that have been approved by Consulates to use as a resource...BUT you cannot copy them...you wouldn't want to because each situation is different.

I hope those answers are helpful. Just stick around this website, and ask questions. Good luck and God bless!