Success Story: Approval of forms I-485, I-130, and I-601 Vaccine Waiver for a Portuguese National in Atlanta, GA

Success Story: Approval of forms I-485, I-130, and I-601 Vaccine Waiver for a Portuguese National in Atlanta, GA

Our client, a Portuguese national married to a U.S. citizen, recently travelled to the U.S., where they contacted our firm to assist them with an I-130 petition for alien relatives, an I-485 Adjustment of Status (AoS), and a I-601 Vaccine Waiver. 

The AoS application allows someone already inside the U.S. (who is eligible, often through an approved I-130 or other qualifying petition) to become a lawful permanent resident (get a Green Card) without having to leave the country for consular processing abroad. Our clients had already previously approved I-130, and used their time during their travels to apply for the AoS while they were in Atlanta. 

Within the AoS application, there are multiple reasons why an applicant can be rejected on the grounds of being inadmissible to the U.S.. One of these reasons is if the applicant does not have the proper vaccinations that are required by U.S. immigration. I-601 Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility is a separate application used when an applicant is otherwise inadmissible to the U.S. for certain reasons, in this case, failing to meet vaccination requirements. The application asks USCIS to waive that ground so the person can still move forward with their Green Card or visa application; for vaccine-related inadmissibility, this often involves showing the vaccine would be medically inappropriate or objecting on religious/moral grounds.

During their trip our firm was able to secure our Portuguese client their Green Card in Atlanta, Georgia! What is an even greater success is that our firm was able to secure this green card even after USCIS had made certain amendments that affected the AoS applications similar to this case. We would like to extend a huge congratulations to our client and their spouse, who are now on their way to settling in the U.S. together!

Immigration hurdles like vaccine-related inadmissibility shouldn’t stand in the way of building a life with your spouse in the U.S. At Blue Lake Law, we stay current on shifting USCIS policies and know how to navigate complex AoS cases, including securing I-601 waivers when needed. If you or a loved one are facing similar obstacles on the path to a Green Card, contact Blue Lake Law today to see how we can help.