VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT 

 

What is a VAWA Petition?
 

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), allows an immigrant spouse, child or parent who has been abused to self-petition for lawful permanent residence without the knowledge of the abusive spouse, parent or child.
 

VAWA was enacted to provide a way out of an abusive relationship for battered women (and now extended to men) who have been subjected to sexual abuse, physical abuse, or emotnal or psychological abuse, and whose legal immigration status depended on maintaining their relationship with their abusive spouse. 

 

Once the VAWA petition has been approved, immigrants are classified into categories based on a preference system. Self-petitioners who are immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under the age of 21) are eligible to adjust status to a lawful permanent resident status when their VAWA petition is approved. Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents must wait for an immigrant visa to become available for their category.  These petitioners will be able to obtain work authorization until they are eligible to apply for permanent residency.

 

The process to apply for lawful permanent residence includes a criminal check by fingerprinting and completion of a medical exam. Applicants might be barred from permanent residency if they have a record of involvement with drugs, prostitution, or other crimes, if they committed visa fraud, were previously deported, or have certain other “bad marks” against them. Waivers are sometimes available for criminal or immigration issues but intending immigrants with these complications are advised to have their cases reviewed by an immigration attorney. Battered spouses or children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are the subjects of deportation proceedings may also be eligible for this form of relief through VAWA cancellation of removal.

 

Eligibility Requirements for VAWA Self-petitioners:

 

• The intending self-petitioner must prove that s/he is a spouse, child (unmarried and under age 21)/parent of an abused child (unmarried and under age 21), or parent who was physically battered and/or subjected to “extreme cruelty” by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent or adult child.  Such abuse may include evidence of:
   

  • physical abuse, violent acts or threats of violence, sexual abuse or exploitation, verbal abuse and degradation, emotional abuse, isolation, intimidation, economic abuse, coercion or threats to take away children or have one deportedIt is not a requirement to have a police report.  Many victims are fearful of calling the police and this does not preclude them for filing  a VAWA self-petition.
     

  • Abused spouses must additionally prove that the marriage was entered into in good faith, that the abuse occurred during the marriage, and that the marriage is still valid or was terminated less than two years prior to self-petitioning.
     

  • The abuse must have occurred in the United States, and the victim must have lived with the abuser.
     

  • The self-petitioner must provide evidence of his/her “good moral character.”  This usually refers to a review of the self-petitioners criminal record or other immigration transgressions.  Certain arrests or transgressions may be waived if the self-petitioner can show such actions were connected to the abuse s/he suffered.  Applicants should consult with legal counsel for a close review of any such arrests, convictions or transgressions.