Green cards & adjustmentPOLICY UPDATE
Controlled Substance Trafficking, Significant Trafficking in Persons, and Money Laundering Grounds of Inadmissibility
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the inadmissibility of aliens engaged in controlled substance trafficking, significant trafficking in persons, and money laundering under section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Effective date and application
This guidance, contained in Volume 8 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the inadmissibility of aliens engaged in controlled substance trafficking, significant trafficking in persons, and money laundering under section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- Defines statutory and associated terms related to the controlled substance trafficking, significant trafficking in persons, and money laundering grounds of inadmissibility. PA-2026-14: Controlled Substance Trafficking, Significant Trafficking in Persons, and Money Laundering Grounds of Inadmissibility
- Explains who may be found inadmissible as a controlled substance trafficker, a significant trafficker in persons, and an alien engaged in money laundering.
- States who may be eligible for waivers, exemptions, and exceptions to the controlled substance trafficker, significant traffickers in persons, and money laundering grounds of inadmissibility.
- Describes the evidence that USCIS officers should consider when making inadmissibility determinations under INA 212(a)(2)(C), INA 212(a)(2)(H), and INA 212(a)(2)(I) and the associated burden of proof.
- Explains that when a spouse, son, or daughter of an alien inadmissible under INA 212(a)(2)(C)(i) or INA 212(a)(2)(H)(i) applies for a discretionary immigration benefit, an officer may consider financial or other benefits obtained by these family members at any time when determining whether the spouse, son, or daughter merits a favorable exercise of discretion.
- Explains that when a former spouse of an alien inadmissible under INA 212(a)(2)(C)(i) or INA 212(a)(2)(H)(i) applies for a discretionary immigration benefit, an officer may consider financial or other benefits obtained by the former spouse when determining whether the former spouse merits a favorable exercise of discretion.
