Waiver of inadmissibility
An Application for a Waiver of Inadmissibility is an application for legal entry to the United States made by an individual who is otherwise inadmissible on one or more grounds The application is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Persons may be inadmissible to the United States for any one of the grounds of excludability listed below.
Health Related Problems
Communicable diseases
Physical or mental disorders
Drug abusers or addicts
For some disorders, including HIV, waivers are available.
Criminal and Related Violations
Crimes involving moral turpitude
Drug offenders and controlled substance traffickers
Multiple criminal convictions when the total sentence was five years or more
Prostitutes and commercialized vice
Criminals involved in serious criminal activity who have received immunity from prosecution
Persons who Seek Employment in the U.S. without Approved Labor Certifications and Employment Qualifications.
People Likely to Become a Public Charge on Welfare Security and Related Violations
Spies, saboteurs or terrorists
Persons whose entry would endanger U.S. foreign policy
Voluntary members of Communist or other totalitarian parties
Nazis
Illegal Entrants and Immigration Violators
Persons who enter the U.S. without being admitted or paroled at approved ports of entry - usually what is considered EWI - Entry Without Inspection and stayed in the U.S. for more than 180 consecutive days. Mainly Mexicans crossing the Mexico/US border with the help of smugglers.
Persons who were previously deported - whether it was forced deportation or voluntary departure.
Persons who made misrepresentations during the immigration process. Some aliens come to the US on vacation and overstay, others come with the intention of staying.
Stowaways
Smugglers of illegal aliens
Document Violations Any alien, "other than an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence" who "was unlawfully present in the United States for a period of more than 180 days but less than 1 year, voluntarily departed the United States ... and again seeks admission within 3 years of the date of such alien's departure or removal, or ... has been unlawfully present in the United States for one year or more, and who again seeks admission within 10 years of the date of such alien's departure or removal from the United States"
Falsely Claiming U.S. Citizenship
Draft Evaders
Miscellaneous Grounds
Practicing polygamists
Guardians accompanying helpless aliens
International child abductors and relatives supporting abductors