What happens when the life you’ve built for more than 20 years feels like it could all be taken away?
For our client from the Democratic Republic of Congo, that question weighed heavily on her mind for decades. She first arrived in the United States as a teenager, sent alone on a plane by her parents. She grew up in a southern state, believing her parents were taking care of her immigration status — but later discovered they had not.
Despite the uncertainty, she built a full life here. She met her future U.S. citizen husband in high school, and together they had five U.S. Citizen children and created a home in the U.S. But the shadow of her immigration status followed her everywhere, from challenges renewing her driver’s license to the fear that one day she could be separated from her family.
Her biggest fear came down to this: leaving the United States for an immigrant visa interview and not being able to return. That fear only grew as her husband, a U.S. citizen, faced medical hardships — including PTSD after a serious car accident. His well-being became a key part of the hardship evidence we developed to support her case.
She found our firm on YouTube and scheduled her first consultation with Attorney LaToya McBean Pompy in July 2020. Attorney McBean Pompy knew that our clients’ number one goal was to stay together as a family permanently. We filed her I-130 family petition that October 2020, and it was approved in September 2021.
After mustering up the courage to continue their immigration journey, our clients gave us the greenlight to file the I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver. This waiver would allow our client to avoid a 10-year ban upon leaving the U.S. for her embassy interview in Africa.
In September 2023, we filed her I-601A waiver. After nearly two years of waiting — and almost five years of working with our team — she received the news on September 1, 2025: her waiver was approved!
This approval clears the way for her to continue her immigrant visa process at the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the assurance that her past unlawful presence has been forgiven. For her, it represents not only legal progress, but peace of mind after decades of uncertainty.
At McBean Law, we know how much is at stake for families like hers. The waiver process is never easy — but with persistence, preparation, and compassion, life-changing results are possible.
If you or someone you love is facing a difficult immigration process, McBean Law may be able to help. Call us at (914) 898-9488 to schedule a private consultation. We’ll meet you where you are — with strategy, clarity, and compassion.
P.S. Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Always consult with a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case.
