Suspension of Deportation Definition

An immigration remedy that is no longer available (with rare exceptions), it allowed undocumented immigrants placed into deportation proceedings to request permanent resident status on the basis of 1) continuous physical presence in the United States for at least seven years; 2) good moral character during this period; and 3) that the applicant's departure from the U.S. would cause "extreme hardship" to the applicant or any qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relatives, including spouse, parents, or children. The nearest remedy available now is called "cancellation of removal."