I-601 Denied Athens

[napolyon]

We recieved an email from Athens office stating that our 601 waiver was denied on May 28th 2008. We have been waiting for the desicion for 10 months and we really don't know what to do now because we dont want to appeal the case because it takes 18 months or more for it. this whole thing is wasting money and time. mt waiver was for unlawful precense over 1 year so I have a ten years ban for over staying my visa.

[Chimi]

I am so sorry for your news. I hope you find another way.

[Laura]

I'm so sorry. Did you use an attorney for the waiver? What were your main hardships?

[olie2oo6]

I am so sorry....

[sdgcas]

i am so sorry, Good luck!!!

[douginguam]

That's awful news. Stay strong.

[Ginger]

I am sorry but do not give up!!!

I would suggest to re-apply for the new waiver instead of filling out an appeal.
Or you can also try to go for the motion to reconsider ( based on a new facts and additional hardship).

Good Luck.

[Wendy]

We recieved an email from Athens office stating that our 601 waiver was denied on May 28th 2008. We have been waiting for the desicion for 10 months and we really don't know what to do now because we dont want to appeal the case because it takes 18 months or more for it. this whole thing is wasting money and time. mt waiver was for unlawful precense over 1 year so I have a ten years ban for over staying my visa.


I am so very sorry to hear this. I was really looking forward to hearing good news from you. Since our waiver was for the same thing and we didn't have too many "extreme" hardships (i.e. health issues etc.) are answer will probably be the same.

Please keep me updated on your situation.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your wife and precious little daughter.

Wendy & Yilmaz

[JustMe]

I am so sorry to hear about your news...Don't give up.

[gaby]

I am sorry to hear your denial, try to see if you can get a new visa interview many consulates have that option, here in Mexico is how it works.
Good luck .

[MMGCA]

sorry to hear this! good luck!

[Lika]

I'm so sorry to hear this! Try to stay strong and don't give up!

[REDaja05]

i'm sorry to hear the bad news stay strong. I agree with Ginger about re-filing.

[patiencemkp]

I am also sorry for you both. The waiver process is so long and emotional - then to get a denial. I am going through Athens also (my husband had an overstay only) and we are still waiting. Did the denial letter state the reasons? I also thought an appeal did not take as long - will you be going that route?

[blueblue]

Napolyon,
I am sorry to hear of your denial. But don't give up.

I would strongly recommend having a consultation with one of the recommended attorneys, Laurel Scott or another on this list: http://www.immigrate2us.net/forum/showthread.php?t=889

What were the reasons your waiver was denied? What evidence did you submit to support your hardships?

As others have said you have several options,
1) File Motion to Reconsider with more evidence/hardships (may be turned to appeal if they don't review it - which is what happened to us)
Benefit if you can really strengthen your evidence and they actually review it positively, this is the fastest way to move forward. But Athens doesn't have great history on reconsidering their decisions, IMO.

2) Appeal (it is taking 18-24 months)
Benefit of this is you have someone besides Athens (who again IMO is deny-happy and don't bother themselves with things like the law, facts or evidence too much) reviewing your case.

3) Go back to the consulate and ask to file a new I-601 with more evidence and hardships.
Probably faster than appeal, if your new package is overwhelmingly better than the first one. But you still have to get the approval from Athens.

I would review your situation with a good waiver attorney before deciding which way to go. I believe Laurel's attorney friend Norma Ayoub*
http://www.ayoublaw.com/ deals often with Athens since majority of her clients are from ME.

Keep us posted what you decide. Wishing you speed and peace through this nasty journey.