| Grounds | Exceptions | Waivers |
|---|---|---|
| 212(a)(1)(A)(i): Communicable Disease |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(g)(1) (applicable to spouse, unmarried son or daughter, or parent of USC/LPR) danger to public health is minimal; spread of infection is minimal; no cost incurred by government agency w/o consent Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(1)(A)(ii): Vaccinations | 212(a)(1)(C) adopted child; 10 years old & parent's affidavit |
NIV: N/A IV: 212(g)(2) Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(1)(A)(iii): Physical or mental disorder & behavior poses threat |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(g)(3) Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(1)(A)(iv): Drug abuser or addict |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I): CIMT (conviction or admission) |
• 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(I): only 1 crime committed + < 18 years old + >5 years before
application for visa/admission • 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II): only 1 crime + max penalty possible 1 year + alien's sentence 6 months or less • Full pardon by President or Governor, 237(a)(2)(A)(vi) • Purely political offense |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(h) (if violent or dangerous crime then exceptional or extremely unusual hardship and have superior or higher concurrence for approval) • 212(h)(1)(A): Offense >15 years ago + rehabilitated + not contrary to national welfare; • 212(h)(1)(B): Alien is spouse/parent/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR; • 212(h) barred if (1) LPR convicted of aggravated felony or lacks 7 years continuous residence before initiation of removal; or (2) murder or crime involving torture Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II): Controlled Substance |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(h) for single offense of simple possession 30 grams MJ (see 212(h)(1)(A) or 212(h)(1)(B) above); if violent or dangerous crime then exceptional or extremely unusual hardship and have supervisor or higher concurrence for approval Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i)(II); no waiver except single possession of 30 grams of MJ |
|
| 212(a)(2)(B): Multiple Convictions + >5 years sentence total |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(h) (if violent or dangerous crime then exceptional or extremely unusual hardship and have superior higher concurrence for approval) • 212(h)(1)(A): Offense >15 years ago + rehabilitated + not contrary to national welfare; • 212(h)(1)(B): Alien is spouse/parent/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR; • 212(h) barred if (1) LPR convicted of aggravated felony or lacks 7 years continuous residence before initiation of removal; or (2) murder or crime involving torture Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(2)(C): Drug Traffickers (reason to believe) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
212(a)(2)(D):
|
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(h) (if violent or dangerous crime then exceptional or extremely unusual hardship and have supervisor or higher concurrence for approval) • For (i) & (ii) 212(h)(1)(A): Admission is not contrary to national welfare, safety or security and alien has been rehabilitated. • For (iii) 212(h)(1)(A): Offense >15 years ago + rehabilitated + not contrary to national welfare • For (i), (ii), (iii) 212(h)(1)(B): Alien is spouse/parent/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR |
|
| 212(a)(2)(E) Alien asserts immunity from prosecution |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(h) (if violent or dangerous crime then exceptional or extremely unusual hardship and have supervisor or higher concurrence for approval) • 212(h)(1)(A): Offense >15 years ago + rehabilitated + not contrary to national welfare; • 212(h)(1)(B): Alien is spouse/parent/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR) Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(2)(G) Foreign government officials who violated religious freedom |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(2)(H) Human traffickers & spouse/son/daughter who knew & benefitted $$ | 212(a)(2)(H)(iii) Received benefits only while a minor child |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(2)(I) Money Laundering |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(3)(A)(i)(I) Espionage, sabotage |
NIV or IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(A)(i)(II) Illegal export of technology or sensitive information |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(A)(ii) Other unlawful activity |
NIV or IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(A)(iii) Actively engage in overthrow of US |
NIV or IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(I) Engaged in terrorist activity, defined at 212(a)(3)(B)(iv) to include providing material support | 212(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI)(dd) Providing material support to an undesignated org. if clear & convincing evidence didn't reasonably know it was terrorist org | NIV:212(d)(3)(A) IV or NIV: 212(d)(3)(B) Sec of DHS or Sec of State may grant waiver in sole unreviewable discretion for material support Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(II) Reasonable belief likely to engage in terrorist activity | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(III) Incited terrorism | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(IV) Representative of a terrorist org or an org that endorses terrorist
activity. 212(a)(3)(B)(vi) defines terrorist org. as (I) §219 designation, (II) Sec. of State designation, or (iii) 2 or more individuals engaged in terrorist activity. |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) NIV/IV: 212(d)(3)(B) Sec of DHS or Sec of State may grant at their sole, unreviewable discretion |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(V) Member of terrorist org. described in subcl. (I), (II), or cl. (vi) | Member of undesignated org. + clear & convincing evidence didn't reasonably know it was a terrorist organization. | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI) Member of terrorist organization described in (vi)(III) | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII) Endorses or espouses terrorist activity (defined at §212(a)(3)(B)(iii)) | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(d)(3)(B) – Secretary of DHS or Secretary of State may grant in sole unreviewable discretion |
|
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VIII) Received military type training from terrorist org. | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) | |
| 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(IX) Spouse or child of an alien inadmissible under 212(a)(3)(B) if activity occurred within last 5 years | 212(a)(3)(B)(ii): Spouse or child did not reasonably know of activity or spouse or child renounced the activity | NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(3)(C) Entry has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences |
212(a)(3)(C)(ii): Foreign officials 212(a)(3)(C)(iii): Beliefs, statements or associations would be lawful in US |
NIV: NO WAIVER IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(3)(D) Communist Party Membership |
212(a)(3)(D)(ii): Involuntary membership 212(a)(3)(D)(iii): Past membership terminated |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(a)(3)(B)(iv) close family member Legalization: NO WAIVER |
| 212(a)(3)(E) Nazi persecution or genocide | NIV or IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(4) Public Charge |
NACARA 202(d)(1)(D) Special Rules for Legalization Applicants 245A(d)(2)(B)(ii)(4) and 245A(d)(2)(B)(iii) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 213 (bond), 213A (affidavit of support), 221(g) (bond) |
| 212(a)(5)(A) Lack of Labor Certification & seeking employment; immigrants seeking admission or adjustment under 203(b)(2), (3) |
• Labor Certification • Proof applicant will not work • 8 CFR 212.8(a), (b) lists various exemptions (e.g., US Military, fiancé, etc.) • 207(c)(3) refugees • 209(c) asylees adjusting status • Family-based immigrants • NACARA • Legalization applicants 245A(d)(2)(A) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(k) (alien in possession of an immigrant visa if inadmissibility was not known before departure) |
| 212(a)(5)(B) Unqualified physician |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(5)(C) Uncertified health care worker |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(a)(6)(A) Alien present without admission or parole |
• 212(a)(6)(A)(ii) battered woman & child • NACARA 202(d)(1)(D) • Legalization applicants |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) |
| 212(a)(6)(B) Failure to attend removal proceedings |
• Reasonable cause for failure to attend • Proceedings initiated prior to 4/1/1997 |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER (but it is no longer an inadmissibility if 5 years have passed) |
| 212(a)(6)(C)(i) Misrepresentation or fraud in seeking to procure a visa, admission, or other benefit under the INA |
• Timely retraction • Immaterial misrepresentation • 22 CFR 40.63(a) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(i) discretion + alien is the spouse/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) False claim to use |
• False claims before 9/30/96 (but could fall under 212(a)(6)(C)(i)) • 212(a)(6)(C)(ii)(II): Reasonable mistaken belief by alien who was LPR by age 16 and child of USC parents |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(6)(D) Stowaways (present) | Applies only to current entry as stowaway |
NIV & IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(6)(E) Alien smugglers | 212(a)(6)(E)(ii) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(d)(12) Intending LPR or LPR who aided own spouse, parent, son, or daughter (not 4th Preference) Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(6)(F) 274C Civil penalty |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(d)(12) LPR + committed to aid own spouse or child Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(6)(G) Student Visa Abusers | Remain outside US 5 years after violation |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(7)(A) Immigrant document requirement |
• 211(b) returning LPRs • 211(c) refugees • NACARA 202(d)(1)(D) • 289, American Indians born in Canada • Legalization Applicant: 245A(d)(2)(A) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: 212(k) |
| 212(a)(7)(B) Non-immigrant document requirement (e.g., valid passport, visa, border crossing card) |
• NATO Military personnel • 212(d)(4)(B) • 212(d)(7). Alien entering from Guam, PR, VI • US military under official orders • 289, American Indians born in Canada • Legalization Applicant: 245A(d)(2)(A) |
NIV: 212(d)(3), (4), 217 VWPP IV: N/A |
| 212(a)(8)(A) Permanently ineligible for citizenship—relieved of military service in the US on
the ground of alienage. Matter of Kanga, 22 I&N Dec. 1206 (BIA 2000) |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(8)(B) Left US or remained abroad to avoid or evade military training or service during war or national emergency | Nonimmigrant at time of departure & seeking reentry as a nonimmigrant. |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER. Vietnam era draft evaders may benefit from Presidential pardon; 42 Fed. Reg. 59,562 (Nov. 15, 1977) Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(9)(A) Previously removed (5-, 10-, 20-years bars & permanent bars) | 212(a)(9)(A)(iii) AG's consent to reapplying for admission by filing I-212 |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(9)(B) Aliens Unlawfully present (3- & 10- years bars) |
• 212(a)(9)(B)(iii) exception to accrual of unlawful presence for minors, asylee applicant + no
unlawful employment, Family Unity, Battered Women & Children • 212(a)(9)(B)(iv) Tolled period for good cause • Lawfully present: (1) E/S or C/S pending (3/3/2000 Person Memo); (2) NACARA §202(d)(1)(D); (3) HRIFA; (4) 249 registry applicant; (5) VD period; (6) refugee; (7) asylee; (8) granted withholding; (9) granted cancellation; (10) DED; (11) TPS; (12) §202(b) Cuban-Haitian; (13) §245 applicant • Immediate relatives §201(b) • Special Immigrants |
NIV: 212(d)(3) IV: 212(a)(9)(B)(v) Alien is spouse/son/daughter of USC/LPR + extreme hardship to USC/LPR Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(9)(C) Aliens unlawfully present after previous immigration violations | 212(a)(9)(C)(ii) 10 years since fast departure + AG consent to reapplying for admission by filing I-212 |
NIV: 212(d)(3) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(10)(A) Practicing polygamists |
NIV: n/a IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(10)(B) Guardian to accompany helpful alien |
IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
|
| 212(a)(10)(C) International Child Abduction | 212(a)(10)(B)(ii) Child located in a foreign state party to the Hague Convention |
NIV: 212(d)(3) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(10)(D) Unlawful voters | 212(a)(10)(D)(ii) Reasonable mistaken belief at time of violation that alien was USC + parents are USC + LPR before age 16 |
NIV: 212(d)(3) IV: NO WAIVER Legalization: 245A(d)(2)(B)(i) |
| 212(a)(10)(E) Former USC who renounces citizenship to avoid taxation |
NIV: 212(d)(3)(A) IV: NO WAIVER |
|
| 212(f) Present can use executive proclamation to suspend the admission of persons into the US |
NOTE: INA §212(c) may be available to LPRs who pled guilty to criminal offense prior to April 1, 1997, if the LPR would have been eligible for §212(c) at the time of the plea. Consequently, key dates for determining eligibility for §212(c) are when various laws went into effect amending §212(c), i.e. November 29, 1990 (IMMACT '90), April 24, 1996 (AEDPA) and April 1, 1997 (IIRIRA)