Many individuals involved in so-called “pay-to-stay” arrangements — including experiences connected to companies like Findream — continue to live with uncertainty long after their OPT period ends. They move forward with life, marry U.S. citizens, and build families, yet hesitate to apply for a green card out of fear that a past immigration issue could trigger denial or removal.
That was exactly the situation in this case.
Although married to a U.S. citizen and fully eligible for a marriage-based green card, our client did not file anything for five years due to concerns about a potential misrepresentation finding. After conducting a thorough legal analysis, our firm identified a clear and strategic path forward through a carefully prepared I-601 waiver — ultimately guiding him to lawful permanent residence.
Our client had built a genuine, ongoing life with his U.S. citizen spouse in the United States. However, during his OPT period, he participated in a “pay-to-stay” arrangement through Findream, an issue that has drawn significant USCIS scrutiny in recent years.
When he previously sought advice, he was told that his involvement could be viewed as willful misrepresentation under INA §212(a)(6)(C)(i). He was warned that he might be permanently inadmissible, that his case could be denied, or even that he could be placed in removal proceedings.
Faced with those possibilities, he chose not to file. For five years, despite being eligible through marriage, he avoided applying for a green card because the perceived risk felt too great.
It was only after reading about our firm’s successful waiver cases that he began to believe there might still be a viable legal solution. By the time he came to our office, the fear and uncertainty had weighed on him for years.
Rather than filing the I-485 alone and waiting for a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny, we recommended a proactive strategy: submit the complete marriage-based adjustment of status package together with a well-prepared I-601 waiver from the outset.
This approach allowed us to control the narrative, demonstrate transparency, and present a comprehensive extreme hardship case upfront rather than responding defensively later.
After years of hesitation, moving forward required trust and courage. However, by handling the case strategically from day one and filing everything concurrently, we ensured that USCIS received a complete, organized, and well-supported record at the earliest stage of review.
An I-601 waiver requires proving that denial would result in extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen spouse — a standard that goes beyond normal emotional difficulty.
In this case, the hardship was substantial and well documented. The U.S. citizen spouse was managing ongoing health concerns while also facing emotional strain related to parenting and family stability. Their young child required attentive daily care, and the family relied on both spouses’ financial contributions to maintain their household and future plans.
Our waiver addressed the full scope of hardship: the impact of separation if the spouse remained in the United States, the difficulties of relocation abroad, and the combined medical, psychological, financial, and country-condition factors involved. We also emphasized the positive discretionary factors, including the authenticity of the marriage and the family’s strong ties.
Each argument was strategically structured, legally grounded, and supported by credible documentation to meet the high evidentiary standard required for approval.
USCIS scheduled an in-person adjustment of status interview at a Maryland field office in mid-2025 to review both the Form I-601 Waiver of Inadmissibility and the Form I-485 application together. Given the prior misrepresentation concern related to the OPT arrangement, careful interview preparation was essential.
Our firm conducted detailed preparation sessions with the client and his spouse, reviewing the immigration history and preparing them to address the prior issue clearly and truthfully while demonstrating the bona fides of their marriage.
Following the interview, USCIS continued its review, and by the end of 2025, both the I-601 waiver under INA §212(a)(6)(C)(i) and the I-485 adjustment of status application were approved. With inadmissibility formally waived and the marriage-based green card granted, our client finally obtained lawful permanent resident status after five years of uncertainty.
Misrepresentation-related inadmissibility issues can place an entire green card case at risk. However, as this case shows, approval is achievable when a waiver is carefully prepared, thoroughly supported, and strategically filed.
The Law Offices of Sabrina Li has extensive experience handling marriage-based adjustment of status cases, I-601 hardship waivers, inadmissibility issues, and high-stakes USCIS filings.
If you or a loved one may need an immigration waiver or have concerns about admissibility, our office is ready to help.You can reach us at 213-375-8096 or email info@sabrinali.law to schedule a consultation and protect your future in the United States.
We provide a tailored approach to each client's case, ensuring that you receive individualized attention and a customized strategy for your unique situation. We adjust our strategy as your needs or circumstances change, guaranteeing a seamless transition between different phases of your immigration journey.
Our team is composed of immigrant and first-generation American professionals, along with individuals from various cultural backgrounds. Many of us have firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced during the immigration process. This allows us to provide guidance and advocacy rooted in authentic understanding.
Phone: (213) 375-8096
Email: info@sabrinali.law
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