Facing an Immigration Bar? A Waiver May Keep Your Family Together
Being told you're inadmissible, or that you'll have to leave the U.S. for a visa interview, can put a whole family under strain. Albany immigration attorney Ray Wood identifies the exact ground, the right waiver, and builds the hardship case, so your family has the strongest possible path forward.
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Trusted by families facing one of the hardest parts of immigration.
A Waiver Case Is Won or Lost on the Details
Forms I-601 and I-601A serve different purposes, and neither is a general cure for every immigration problem. The waiver has to match the precise ground of inadmissibility, and the case has to prove extreme hardship to the right relative, the one the law specifies.
A thin hardship case, or a history problem nobody spotted, can mean a denial after a long wait, or a family member stuck outside the U.S.
Ray reviews the full history first, identifies every possible ground, and then builds an organized, accurate, well-documented hardship case, so there are no surprises at the consulate.
Where Waiver Cases Go Wrong
- 01Filing the wrong waiver
The I-601A covers only certain unlawful-presence bars. Misrepresentation, criminal and other grounds need a different waiver, or have none.
- 02Hardship to the wrong person
For most waivers the qualifying relative is a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse or parent. Hardship to children counts only through its effect on that relative.
- 03Grounds that surface at the interview
Prior removals, re-entries after more than a year of unlawful presence, or past false statements can derail a case if not caught early.
- 04Leaving too soon
Departing before the waiver is approved can trigger a 3- or 10-year bar with no provisional waiver to fall back on.
How We Help With Your Waiver
A practice devoted exclusively to immigration law, so we know this process inside out.
I-601A Provisional Waiver
For immigrant-visa applicants in the U.S. who will need to process abroad, we request a waiver of the unlawful-presence bar before anyone departs.
I-601 Waiver
Unlawful presence found at the consulate, misrepresentation, or certain criminal grounds? We assess the waiver available and prepare it.
Extreme Hardship Case Building
Medical, financial, family, education and country-conditions evidence, organized into a clear, truthful story of what separation or relocation would mean.
Inadmissibility Review
Before anything is filed, we review entries, departures, prior filings and any removal history to find every ground that could matter.
Consular Process Coordination
From the approved I-130 through the National Visa Center to the interview abroad, we plan the sequence so the waiver fits the timeline.
Waiver Denied? Next Steps
A denied I-601A can often be refiled with a stronger case; a denied I-601 may be appealed or reopened. We review what happened and your options.
A Process That Feels Clear, Not Confusing
You are never left guessing what comes next.
Speak With Ray
Tell us the family's immigration history. Ray identifies the likely ground and whether a waiver is available, honestly, the same day.
We Build the Hardship Case
We gather the right evidence, prepare declarations, and file a complete, well-organized waiver, at a flat fee you know up front.
Approval & the Visa Interview
We guide you from waiver approval to the consular interview, and the family reunion you have been working toward.
What Our Clients Say
5-star reviews from families Ray has helped.
"Ray Wood and his team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise throughout the green card process. They made the entire process seamless for us, promptly addressing all our inquiries regardless of the time of day and consistently keeping us informed. We deeply appreciate Ray Wood's invaluable assistance and highly recommend his services."
Natesh Ramdharry · Google Review
"You will not find lawyers that aren't just competent here, but you will also find kind folks that are phenomenal human beings. I cannot thank the team enough. They genuinely do care."
Harjup Singh · Google Review
"Ray walked me through the whole immigration process from the beginning until the end, became a citizen yesterday! He is extremely knowledgeable and has a way of explaining things in a very clear and calm way."
Naturalization Client
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Families Choose Ray
A small, focused practice, where you work directly with your attorney, not a call center.
Flat Fees, No Surprises
You'll know your full cost up front, a flat fee, not an hourly bill that climbs. On most matters that even includes the USCIS filing fees.
You Speak to the Attorney
No being passed between departments. You deal directly with Ray, and you get a same-day call back.
A Focused Practice
Family immigration filings with USCIS and the consulates, and nothing else: green cards, waivers, naturalization, removal of conditions, consular processing. We know this niche cold.
We'll Tell You Honestly If a Waiver Fits
Not every case qualifies, and a waiver filed on weak evidence can cost a family years. If a waiver is the right path, we'll tell you how strong it is. If it isn't, we'll tell you that too, and explain the alternatives.
It's the reason so many people, including some we couldn't take on, leave us 5-star reviews. We treat every person who calls with care, because behind every case is a family.
An Immigration Lawyer Who Knows Your Case
Ray Wood
Immigration Attorney · Albany, NY
Ray has practiced immigration law for 15 years, in a practice devoted exclusively to immigration. His background includes 11 years of military service: three years on active duty with the U.S. Army and eight with the Army National Guard. Clients know him for clear communication and responsive, hands-on care from the first call to the final approval notice.
Talk to Us Before Anyone Travels
The order of steps matters in a waiver case. Speak with Ray and you'll hear back the same day.
What we focus on
- I-601A provisional unlawful-presence waivers
- I-601 waivers (unlawful presence, misrepresentation, certain criminal grounds)
- Extreme hardship documentation
- Consular processing & NVC
- Marriage & family-based green cards (I-130)
- I-290B motions after a denial
What we don't handle
- Immigration Court / removal & deportation defense
- Work & employment visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.)
- Asylum cases
Not sure if your case fits? Reach out anyway, we'll tell you honestly, and point you in the right direction if it's not for us.
Common Questions About I-601 & I-601A Waivers
What's the difference between the I-601 and the I-601A?
Does the I-601A waive an illegal entry?
Who counts as a qualifying relative?
What does "extreme hardship" mean?
Does an approved I-601A give me status or a work permit?
What does it cost?
Do you handle cases in Immigration Court?
Speak With Ray About a Waiver
Your first consultation is free.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Tell us about your family's situation and we'll help you understand whether a waiver fits, clearly, honestly, and with no obligation. You'll hear back the same day.
Call
518-741-8868Office
2022 Western Avenue, Suite 2W, Albany, NY 12203
Serving
Albany, Schenectady, the Capital Region, Vermont & all 50 states (remote consultations)
Email Ray about Your Case
Your first consultation is free.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Tell us about your situation and we'll help you understand your options, clearly, honestly, and with no obligation. You'll hear back the same day.