Family services
Provisional unlawful presence waivers and other waivers, built on real proof of hardship.
A past overstay, entry or record could block your relative's green card.
Some family cases hit a wall: time spent in the U.S. without status, a past entry without inspection, a misrepresentation, or certain criminal records. Leaving the U.S. after more than 180 days of unlawful presence can trigger a 3-year or 10-year bar to coming back.
A waiver asks the government to forgive the problem. The provisional unlawful presence waiver (Form I‑601A) is filed from inside the U.S. before the embassy interview, so families spend less time apart. Other problems use Form I‑601 or Form I‑212.
Most waivers require showing "extreme hardship" to a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse or parent. That is a high standard. We build it with real documents: medical records, finances, country conditions and letters, and we tell you honestly how strong it looks before you file.
Every step has an owner. You always know whether we are waiting on you, on us, or on the government.
Our team
We request government records so we know exactly what an officer will see.
Our team
A list of the proof that matters for your qualifying relative: health, money, family, country conditions.
You
Doctors' letters, school records, bills, statements. Luis tracks every item.
USCIS
USCIS decides the waiver. For an I‑601A, this happens before your relative leaves for the interview.
U.S. embassy
With an approved provisional waiver, your relative attends the embassy interview.
Our team
In many cases we can refile with new evidence. We explain every option in writing.
Waiver decisions often take a year or more, on top of the family case.
These ranges are long and they change. We check current published times with you and plan the family's calendar around honest numbers. We never promise a date.
Why cases waitDo not have everything? That is normal. Luis, our senior paralegal, helps you find or replace missing records.
None of these means your case is over. They mean it needs a plan before anything is filed.
Example outcome
Provisional waiver
Situation: A family whose case depended on an I-601A waiver.
What happened: The first waiver was denied because the hardship evidence did not meet the standard. We refiled with medical records and a professional evaluation. The second filing is still pending.
Example outcomes describe past matters in general terms, with details changed to protect privacy. Every case is different. They are not a promise or prediction of your result.
More example outcomesMore than the normal sadness of separation. Officers look at the whole picture: serious health conditions, financial loss, caregiving duties, conditions in the other country, and how they add up for your qualifying relative.
For most waivers, the hardship must be to a qualifying relative: a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse or parent. Children's needs matter through their effect on that person, and we show that connection clearly.
Many denials can be refiled with stronger evidence. We read the denial with you line by line, tell you what it would take, and only refile if we believe the new case is stronger.
A 45-minute consultation with an attorney, in English or Spanish. We tell you the route, the flat fee and the honest range.
1820 S Blue Island Ave, Suite 300, Chicago. Near the 18th Street Pink Line stop.
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