Hardship

[Pillowchis 6]

If they issue form I-613 does that pretty
much mean that the decision will be
favorable?

[DrIdaddoq 22]

Once your application is forwarded from the USCIS (status will be On Hold) to the DoS (I-612 and I-613), this means that the USCIS is "convinced" of the extreme hardship, and they forwarded for a second opinion of the DoS. Most of the time, the DoS will issue a favorable recommendation and return back to USCIS for final adjudication. However, DoS may still issue a not favorable recommendation, at which point you cannot really pursue any further. Also, even if the DoS issues a not favorable recommendation and send back to the USCIS, that does not mean the USCIS will also abide. It is only a recommendation and the USCIS may still give you the waiver. However, I am not sure if that ever happened. It's just legally within the realm of what could happen. But to answer your question, USCIS -> DoS is usually a good thing.