On March 26, 2007, a new waiver pilot program began at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This new program decreases the time it takes for a decision to be reached in I-601 waiver applications.
Under current immigration law, if a person enters the United States illegally (without being admitted and paroled) they are not eligible to receive immigration benefits. It is very common for foreign nationals to enter the U.S. illegally and subsequently marry U.S. citizens. Once this occurs, the citizen will begin the process that will enable the spouse to obtain a green card. This process, however, is not finalized in the U.S., but involves a final interview at a U.S. consulate in the foreign national's home country. For Mexican nationals most interviews are scheduled at the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez.
At the interview, the applicant files an I-601 waiver package to request that Immigration Services excuse the prior illegal entry into the U.S. and unlawful presence in the United States. This waiver package normally took between nine months and a year to process and reach final decision. During this time, the applicant was required to remain in Mexico until a final decision had been reached.
With the new Waiver Pilot Program, Mexican nationals may be able to obtain a decision on their waiver packages within less than 48 hours. This is a very exciting program as it makes the waiver process much more practical for most applicants who found it extremely difficult to spend a year outside of the U.S. while their case was pending.
Previously, people had to leave their home, family members, young children, and jobs for up to a year while waiting for a decision. Now, they may only need to wait a week or two for the entire process to be completed.
You may be a candidate for this exciting new program! If you have any questions, or would like to begin the process to use the new pilot program, please contact us.
For more information about immigration news, immigration laws, immigration policies, proposed immigration laws, border enforcement, green cards, citizenship, employment visas, family visas, naturalization, and other immigration subjects, please visit Immigration Law Answers and DFW Immigration Law Blog.
Is there anyway to know for sure that this new speedy process will work? I have been stalling on sending in the next set of paperwork because I don't want my husband to be stuck in Mexico for an extended period time.
Posted by: Tamara Lopez | April 14, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Unfortunately Tamara, there are no guarantees when it comes to the U.S. Federal government. But we have no reason to think this new system won't work.
Please call us at 800-989-9999 and ask for Ms. Johnson. She'll be glad to discuss this with you.
Robert A. Kraft
Posted by: Robert A. Kraft | April 14, 2007 at 10:35 AM
I need some help with my husbands case it has been eight months and he is stuck in Mexico! We have two girls one year and four years. We are all confused about what is going on with his case no one will tell us anything at his appointment in October 2006 they would not take his waiver and he admitted to smoking marijuana 2 times when he was 16 yrs. old now he is 25 yrs old and has never been in trouble with the law and has been a loving husband and father and I don't understand why they will not tell us anything? Please help us!!!
Posted by: I-601 Waiver | June 09, 2007 at 11:32 AM
I am sorry to learn of your problems. Please call us at one of the phone numbers below, and ask for Ms. Sara Johnson. I hope we can help you.
Robert A. Kraft
Kraft & Associates
Immigration Lawyers, P.C.
2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1300
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 999-9999
(817) 999-9999
(800) 989-9999
mailto:rkraft@kraftlaw.com
www.kraftlaw.com
Posted by: Robert A. Kraft | June 09, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Sorry I didn't realize you responded to my original entry back in April. I have still been stalling on sending in the paperwork for the visa processing - it looks like the person that blogged after me has her husband stuck in Mexico waiting for the 601 to be processed which is what I'm trying to avoid. I think we are finally going to just take a leap of faith and see what happens. Has anything changed with the 485 that would allow my husband to stay in the country instead of going back to Mexico for processing? We are actually in California not Texas - Do you handle cases based in California as well, or can you refer me to an excellent lawyer that does?
Posted by: Tamara Lopez | July 10, 2007 at 10:04 AM
can you please provide a cite? thanks
Posted by: g lopez | December 05, 2007 at 10:43 PM
can you please provide a cite? thanks
Posted by: g lopez | December 05, 2007 at 10:44 PM
my sister and law enter the country illegal and she is married to a citizen and she is applied for this law is she still eligible for this law because she got her appointment for her interview on the 28 of this month and she is scare that she is not gone able to come back
Posted by: yanire | April 20, 2008 at 01:26 PM
I have a lawn company. I have been getting my workers work visas for the past 5 years. They have proof of paying taxes all those years. Is there a way for me to file for a green card for them?
Thanks
Posted by: Shane | May 19, 2008 at 06:33 PM
we live in arkansas and have been married for 3 years now, my husband, who is here illegally, has had a great job for the past 6 years with the same company. Is there any way you can help us, without him having to go to mexico???
Posted by: heather alvarez | February 27, 2009 at 07:22 PM