Immigration Waiver Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Inadmissibility Waivers
Immigration Waivers: Forgiveness That Reopens a Closed Door
Sometimes a family does everything right and still hits a wall called inadmissibility. A prior period of unlawful presence, an old misrepresentation, or certain other issues can block a green card even when a valid petition exists. An immigration waiver is the legal request to forgive that bar, and for many families it is the difference between years apart and a life together.
At Lozano Law Firm, waiver cases are built under the direction of Alfredo Lozano, Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Our bilingual team documents the hardship and equities that persuade officers, for families across San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo. Because these cases turn on evidence and strategy, they reward early planning, so start with a free consultation.
Real Clients, Real Testimonials
Recomiendo sus servicios.
Understanding Inadmissibility and Waivers
You cannot fix a problem you have not identified. The first job in any waiver case is to name the exact ground of inadmissibility, because that determines which waiver, if any, applies.
The Unlawful Presence Bars
A person who accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence and then left the United States faces a three-year bar, and more than one year triggers a ten-year bar. This is the trap that catches families who would otherwise qualify through consular processing, and it is the most common reason we file waivers.
The I-601A Provisional Waiver
For unlawful presence, the I-601A provisional waiver is often the key. It lets certain applicants request forgiveness while still in the United States, before they leave for a consular interview, so the family is separated for days rather than months or years. Approval requires proving extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent.
The I-601 Waiver for Other Grounds
When the issue is fraud or misrepresentation, certain crimes, or other grounds, the Form I-601 waiver may apply, filed in connection with an immigrant visa or adjustment case. Each ground has its own legal standard, and some have no waiver at all, which is why an honest, careful analysis comes first.
Proving Extreme Hardship
The heart of most waivers is extreme hardship to a qualifying relative. We document the financial, medical, emotional, educational, and country-condition factors that, taken together, rise above the ordinary hardship any family feels when separated. A strong hardship record is detailed, specific, and supported by evidence, not adjectives.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
How a Waiver Case Comes Together
A waiver is a persuasion document as much as a legal filing. We begin by confirming the ground of inadmissibility and identifying every qualifying relative whose hardship can be counted, because more than one relative often strengthens the case.
From there we build the record: medical and psychological evaluations where relevant, financial documentation, country-condition evidence, and a clear narrative that ties it all together. For unlawful presence cases, we usually file the I-601A while the applicant is still here, wait for approval, and only then proceed to the consular interview abroad. This sequence protects the family from a long separation. Processing times change, so we set realistic expectations and keep the case moving at each step.
News
Lozano Law Firm in the News
Lozano Law Firm
Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Fewer than five percent of Texas immigration attorneys are Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds that distinction, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Waiver Help for Families in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo
We prepare provisional and other waivers for families throughout South and West Texas, in English and Spanish. Many of our waiver cases pair with consular processing in Ciudad Juarez, and we sequence the filings to keep families together as much as the law allows. Every case begins with a free, confidential consultation where we assess whether a waiver is needed and how strong it can be.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
Immigration Waiver FAQs
What is the three-year or ten-year bar?
If you were unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days and then departed, you face a three-year bar to returning. More than a year of unlawful presence triggers a ten-year bar. These bars are why leaving for a consular interview without planning can separate a family for years, and why waivers exist.
What counts as extreme hardship?
Extreme hardship is hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative that goes beyond the normal difficulty of separation. Officers weigh financial, medical, psychological, educational, and country-condition factors together. The stronger and more specific the evidence, the better, and building that record is where we focus.
What is the difference between the I-601 and I-601A?
The I-601A is a provisional waiver for unlawful presence, filed while you are still in the United States and before you leave for a consular interview, so the wait abroad is short. The I-601 covers other grounds, such as fraud or certain crimes, and is generally filed in connection with the visa or adjustment case. We determine which one your situation requires.
Who is a qualifying relative for a waiver?
It depends on the waiver, but for unlawful presence waivers the qualifying relatives are U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouses and parents. Notably, hardship to your children usually does not count on its own for that waiver, which surprises many families. We identify every qualifying relative available in your case.
How long does a waiver take?
Provisional waiver processing has run many months to over a year, and times change with USCIS workloads. Because a pending waiver often sits between a family and reunification, we prepare the strongest possible filing the first time to avoid the delay of a denial and refiling.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
Contact Us
Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
Contact Our Immigration Lawyer
For A Free Case Evaluation