FOIA Reveals USCIS I-601A Training Materials

In response to a FOIA request filed by AILA for training materials and guidance related to the adjudication of Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, USCIS released the following documents in March 2014:

• USCIS Standard Operating Procedures for Form I-601A (Version 1)
  USCIS Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Version 1 for Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Manual is dated 3/4/13 and provides applicable statutory and regulatory provisions, resources, and procedural guidance.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051644.
• USCIS Standard Operating Procedures for Form I-601A (Version 1.1)
  USCIS Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Version 1.1 for Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Manual is dated 3/14/13 and provides applicable statutory and regulatory provisions, resources, and procedural guidance. Also includes version history and Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) queries.
  AILA Doc. No. 14050241.
• I-601A Process at the NBC and Adjudication Worksheet Received Via FOIA
  USCIS process and adjudication worksheet for Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Includes anticipated processing times, expected volume of I-601As, expedite criteria, Field Office impact, and notification of interview.
  AILA Doc. No. 14050240.
• BIA Precedent Decisions on Extreme Hardship
  A 10/5/12 list of BIA precedent decisions related to immigrant waivers of inadmissibility and the evaluation of extreme hardship. The cases referenced in the list are also attached.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051653.
• AAO Decisions on Extreme Hardship
  Three AAO cases evaluating extreme hardship that were released to AILA in response to a FOIA request for I-601A provisional waiver training materials in 2014.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051652.
• USCIS Training Slides on I-601As: General Overview
  An April 2013 USCIS PowerPoint presentation used to train adjudicators by providing a general overview of the I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver process.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051648.
• USCIS Training Slides on I-601A Standard Operating Procedures
  January 2013 USCIS PowerPoint presentation used for training adjudicators on the I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver Standard Operating Procedures
  AILA Doc. No. 14051641.
• USCIS Training Slides on I-601As: Inadmissibility Overview
  An undated USCIS PowerPoint presentation used to train adjudicators on grounds of inadmissibility and waivers in the adjudication of I-601A provisional unlawful presence waivers.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051647.
• USCIS Training Slides on I-601As: Extreme Hardship and Discretion
  A February 2013 USCIS PowerPoint presentation used to train adjudicators on evaluating extreme hardship and making discretionary determinations in the I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver process.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051646.
• USCIS PowerPoint Slides on I-601As: General Overview
  An undated USCIS PowerPoint presentation providing a general overview of the I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver process including eligibility, filing tips, and adjudication information.
  AILA Doc. No. 14051645.