The immigration laws of the United States stipulate that certain actions or circumstances can render individuals ineligible for immigration. However, in specific instances, individuals may be eligible to seek a waiver, also referred to as a pardon. If granted, this waiver effectively removes the grounds of inadmissibility, thereby enabling the individual to apply for legal residency.

Waivers are a crucial recourse in various scenarios, including cases involving unlawful presence, deportations, criminal offenses, immigration fraud, or the use of fraudulent documents. It is important to note that obtaining approval for waivers from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an intricate and demanding process, necessitating meticulous preparation.

In certain situations, applicants can submit their waiver requests while remaining within the United States, allowing families to stay together during the process of obtaining legal residency.

Conversely, in other instances, applicants are required to return to their country of origin and initiate the waiver application at the United States Embassy located in their home country. During this period, they must remain outside the United States until the waiver is granted. It's worth noting that the waiver adjudication process can be protracted, spanning several months or even years. However, once approved, the applicant becomes eligible to obtain legal residency status.