Grounds of Inadmissibility

Return to main "How to Begin" page

The immigration laws of the United States provide that certain defined classes of people shall not be permitted to enter or remain in the United States. Inclusion in one or more of these defined classes can depend upon whether the person applying to enter the U.S. is an immigrant or a nonimmigrant.

Listed below are all of the statutory grounds of inadmissibility. Clicking on a link will bring up a window with the complete text of the relevant statutory provision.

INA: ACT 212 - GENERAL CLASSES OF ALIENS INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE VISAS AND INELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION; WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILITY

Sec. 212. [8 U.S.C. 1182]

(a) Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas or Admission.-Except as otherwise provided in this Act, aliens who are inadmissible under the following paragraphs are ineligible to receive visas and ineligible to be admitted to the United States:

(1) Health-related grounds.

(A) In general
(B) Waiver authorized
(C) Exception from immunization requirement for adopted children 10 years of age or younger

(2) Criminal and related grounds.

(A) Conviction of certain crimes.
(B) Multiple criminal convictions.
(C) Controlled substance traffickers.
(D) Prostitution and commercialized vice.
(E) Certain aliens involved in serious criminal activity who have asserted immunity from prosecution
(F) Waiver authorized
(G) Foreign government officials who have engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom

(3) Security and related grounds.

(A) In general.
(B) Terrorist activities
(C) Foreign policy
(D) Immigrant membership in totalitarian party
(E) Participants in Nazi persecutions or genocide
(F) Association with terrorist organizations

(4) Public charge.

(A) In general.
(B) Factors to be taken into account
(C) Family-Sponsored immigrants
(D) Certain employment-based immigrants

(5) Labor certification and qualifications for certain immigrants.

(A) Labor certification.
(B) Unqualified physicians
(C) Uncertified foreign health-care workers.
(D) Application of grounds.

(6) Illegal entrants and immigration violators.

(A) Aliens present without admission or parole.
(B) Failure to attend removal proceeding
(C) Misrepresentation.
(D) Stowaways
(E) Smugglers.
(F) Subject of civil penalty.
(G) Student visa abusers