USCIS Announces That New In-Country I-601 Waivers Should Be Implemented During Calendar Year 2012
On January 10, 2012 the USCIS held a teleconference and question and answer session, during which they explained their plans for implementing the new stateside processing of I-601 hardship waivers for undocumented immigrants who are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Immediate relatives include spouses and parents of U.S. citizens.
The USCIS indicated that they would issue a proposed regulation sometime in the Spring of 2012, followed by a 60 day comment period, after which they will issue a final regulation. USCIS indicates that they expect to have the regulation and process in place by the end of calendar year 2012.
Stateside processing will be a very helpful feature and should help prevent extended separation of families during the waiver process. Up to now, waiver applicants have had to wait outside the United States, during the waiver process. This can sometimes lead to separation of families for months or years.
We welcome this development and hope that USCIS will quickly and fully implement it for the benefit of the many families who are composed of U.S. citizen
and foreign undocumented persons.
