Hardship Waivers

We assess if you are eligible to be “forgiven” for events that would otherwise prevent you from gaining lawful status through a hardship waiver

A waiver means that the U.S. government forgives (“waives”) your inadmissibility or ineligibility for lawful status because you have certain types of criminal convictions, or because of your past violations of immigration status, such as an unlawful presence or prior deportations, to name a few possibilities. For certain types of waivers, the U.S. government can waive your inadmissibility if you can show that your absence from the U.S. would mean hardship to your U.S. citizen spouse or parents. Our attorneys have well over three decades of combined legal experience helping clients with such cases. We are ready to help you determine if you might be eligible for a waiver.

There are different types of waivers, we determine which one best applies to you

There are many different waivers available depending on your unique circumstances, including:

Applying for a visa through a U.S. Consulate. If you are located outside of the U.S. and applying for a visa, you may need to apply for what is called an I-212(h) hardship waiver if you have a past criminal record. If you are inside the U.S., you may need to apply for what is called an I-601 hardship waiver (or an I-601A if you are currently in the U.S. but plan to leave to reapply for entry).
Going through removal proceedings. If you are going through deportation or removal proceedings, you may need a I-212(c) waiver to avoid deportation after a criminal conviction.
Applying for a non-immigrant visa. You may need a I-212(d)(3) waiver for a temporary visitor, work or student visa.

These are just a few examples of waivers. It is extremely important to get an honest and thorough assessment based on your unique individual circumstances. We can discuss your situation and answer any questions you have during an initial consultation.

When a waiver is available, we work closely with you. There is an art to this! We make sure that the evidence we gather from you is organized and presented in a way that highlights the unique circumstances and strengths of your case in the most compelling way possible.

You’re in the right place if you are thinking about reaching out for help, want to understand your options, or just want to know more about working with us. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when you begin your journey with Stouffer Law.

Accreditations

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1. Intake Screening to Understand Your Unique Circumstances and Needs

When you first contact us, whether by phone, email, or through our website form, you will be greeted by our compassionate and caring intake team.

Their role is to listen, understand your situation, and determine whether your case falls within our areas of expertise.

If your matter is something we can assist with, our intake team will guide you toward the next step: scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys. Consultations are primarily available via video conference with some availability for in-person meetings at our Berkeley, California office.

If we are not the right fit for your case, we will still do our best to point you in the right direction by offering referrals to other offices or organizations that may be able to help. Our goal is always to support you, even if it means connecting you elsewhere.

2. In-Depth Consultation With an Experienced Immigration Attorney

Once your consultation is scheduled, our intake team will send you a confirmation email with a Zoom link (or in-person details if you prefer to meet in our Berkeley office).

To make sure we can provide you with the most personalized legal advice, you will complete a short online questionnaire and upload relevant documents before the meeting. This preparation allows your attorney to carefully review your situation ahead of time, so your consultation can focus on clear guidance, tailored recommendations, and answering your most pressing questions.

Our initial consultation fee is $400, payable online prior to the meeting.
You will arrive at your consultation knowing your attorney is ready to support you in making the best decisions for yourself and your family.

3. Working With Our Team on Your Immigration Matter

If you decide to move forward with us, we will send your contract electronically for review and signature, along with instructions for submitting your deposit.

Once these steps are completed, your case officially begins.

You will be paired with both a lead attorney and lead paralegal, but you will also have the full support of the entire Stouffer Law team. This includes attorneys with decades of experience in immigration, including a Certified Specialist in Immigration Law with the California State Bar, experienced immigration paralegals, and dedicated support staff.

We work collaboratively, which means you always have a team behind you, responding whenever you have questions or new circumstances you want to discuss.

Our hands-on approach and deep engagement in the broader immigration community keep us at the forefront of changes in immigration law and policy, allowing us to navigate any shifts in your case with confidence and care.

As soon as you hire us, we will walk you through a thorough onboarding process. This will help you understand how we communicate, what steps to expect, and how we work efficiently and effectively on your behalf. From the first day to the last when we celebrate together, we will be with you at every stage of the journey.