Exclusion and Deportation: Some Avenues of Relief for the Alien

This article is about the statutory relief available to some aliens whose violation of immigration laws would ordinarily subject them to deportation or exclusion. The author begins by discussing section 241(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which provides relief in certain cases to aliens who otherwise would be deported if they have established close family relationship with American citizens or permanent residents. The author then addresses section 212(c) of the Act, which permits the Attorney General to exercise discretion to admit an alien who may be otherwise be excludable. Finally the author examines section 244(a)(1) of the Act, which allows for the suspension of deportation of some illegal aliens that have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of seven years.