For many immigrants, applying for adjustment of status is the final step toward becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. However, this process can be complicated when U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) finds that an applicant is “inadmissible” under immigration law. Inadmissibility means that, despite eligibility in other respects, the applicant is barred from receiving a green card.
Fortunately, certain waivers allow individuals to overcome these barriers for applicants in Chicago and surrounding communities, such as Arlington Heights, Aurora, Champaign, Naperville, and Schaumburg. Understanding how waivers work is critical to keeping the path to residency open.
Common Grounds of Inadmissibility
USCIS may find someone inadmissible for several reasons, and these vary widely in seriousness. Common grounds include unlawful presence in the United States, past immigration violations, certain criminal convictions, misrepresentation on immigration forms, or medical-related issues such as communicable diseases. While these findings can feel overwhelming, many are not absolute barriers to adjustment of status. Instead, the law provides pathways to request forgiveness through waivers if applicants can show they meet the strict requirements.
The Role of Waivers in Adjustment of Status
Waivers are essentially legal requests that ask USCIS to forgive a ground of inadmissibility. Each waiver is tied to specific provisions of immigration law and requires different forms of proof. For example, the I-601 waiver can apply to unlawful presence or misrepresentation, while the I-601A is a provisional waiver filed before leaving the United States for consular processing.
Other waivers focus on medical grounds, criminal history, or prior deportations. Choosing the correct waiver and tailoring the evidence to USCIS expectations is essential for success.
Proving Extreme Hardship
One of the most common and most difficult requirements for a waiver is proving “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative, such as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. Extreme hardship goes beyond the usual difficulties of family separation and may include serious medical needs, financial struggles, or educational setbacks.
Our attorney helps applicants build strong arguments supported by medical records, financial documentation, and expert opinions to demonstrate that the hardship is severe enough to meet USCIS standards.
Why Attorney Guidance Makes a Difference
Responding to inadmissibility findings is not a matter of filling out a form—it requires strategy, careful evidence gathering, and legal advocacy. Our Chicago area immigration attorney understands how USCIS interprets hardship, what types of documentation are most persuasive, and how to structure the case for maximum impact. For residents of Illinois, working with experienced counsel means turning what may feel like a denial into an opportunity to move forward.
At Kasturi Law, we help clients across Chicago, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Champaign, Naperville, Schaumburg, and beyond overcome inadmissibility findings with waiver strategies that work. Whether you’d like to sit down with us in person, arrange a phone conversation, or meet through Zoom, we offer flexible options to fit your needs. You can also schedule directly through our online calendar, selecting a 30-minute or 60-minute consultation.
Get in touch today and take the first step toward protecting your future.
