AAO Hardship Waiver Victory: Burkina Faso

"Based on her safety concerns in Burkina Faso, minimal ties to Burkina Faso, her separation from her family in the United States, the applicant's minor cousin's reliance on her for support, the family's financial circumstances in Burkina Faso, her limited employment prospects, and her medical issues and possible disruption of her treatment, the AAO finds that the applicant's wife would suffer extreme hardship if she were to join the applicant in Burkina Faso. ... The AAO acknowledges that the applicant's wife is suffering emotional, medical and financial hardship due to her separation from the applicant.  The AAO finds that when the applicant's wife's emotional, medical, and financial issues are considered in combination with the hardships that usually result from separation of a spouse, the applicant has established that his wife would experience extreme hardship if she remained in the United States in his absence. ... The appeal is sustained.  The waiver application is approved." - Matter of X-, Aug. 9, 2012.  [Hats off to Haroen Calehr!]