Deportation and exclusion were combined into a “removal” process as of April 1997. Aliens subject to deportation, removal or exclusion can seek relief or protection through a number of forms of relief including asylum, withholding of removal, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, suspension of deportation, voluntary departure and waivers of inadmissibility. This article summarizes the available forms of relief. Some of the forms are addressed in more detail in separate articles.
Administrative Forms
Most forms of relief from removal are available only by requesting such relief from the administrative entity with authority to grant the relief. These administrative entities include the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, immigration officials, the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The forms of relief generally available include:
Asylum
Adjustment of Status
Cancellation of Removal
Suspension of Deportation
Voluntary Departure
Waivers of Inadmissibility
