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I-601 Waivers: "Extreme Hardship" and COVID-19

Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the I-601 waiver. 

Basically, what this document is and we have done a lot of videos on this channel, if someone is found inadmissible in their visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad, they generally are going to be found inadmissible under a Legal Ground of Inadmissibility. They specifically will cite the legal ground of inadmissibility, for example things like: crimes involving moral turpitude; drug possession; prostitution; prior overstay etc. It may be possible to get that inadmissibility waived so long as someone can show extreme hardship. 

Now extreme hardship, the analysis is quite complex.  I am not going to get into detail on the analysis associated with extreme hardship but basically one must show that the separation or the consequences of the failure to issue the waiver would cause extreme hardship to a qualifying relative who is a US citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident. In most of the cases we deal with, we are talking about the American citizen spouse or fiancée of someone seeking a visa to the United States who has been found inadmissible. I have found in recent weeks that COVID-19 is having something of an impact in the briefs that we are writing with respect to extreme hardship and I-601 waiver as it is a factor in keeping people apart and it is having an impact on the convenience associated with travel and traveling to and from for example Thailand and the United States.  

So it should be kept in mind that when processing an I-601 Waiver or when undertaking the filing of an I-601 Waiver, at least as of the present time of this video, COVID-19 may factor into the analysis of briefing and filing a 601 Waiver petition.