Federal Agencies, Practice Resources
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.