VAWA Attorney

Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1994 and most recently reauthorized in 2013. Importantly, VAWA provides protection to certain victims of domestic violence.

Under VAWA, an abused spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident or an abused parent of a U.S. citizen may file a self-petition for lawful permanent resident status in the United States, receive employment authorization and access public benefits.

Qualifying immigrant survivors of domestic violence can file a VAWA self-petition without their abuser’s knowledge or assistance. This provides domestic violence survivors with the means that are essential to escaping violence and establishing safe and independent lives.

In order to qualify for VAWA, a self-petitioning spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident abusive spouse must establish:

-His or her spouse is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (if divorced, the self-petition must be filed within two (2) years of the divorce and demonstrate a connection between the divorce and the abuse)
-His or her marriage to the abusive spouse was in good faith
-He or she lives or lived together with the abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse
-He or she has good moral character
-He or she has suffered extreme cruelty or abuse by his or her U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse.

To qualify for VAWA, a self-petitioning child of a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen abusive parent must establish:

-He or she is under the age of 21 and is unmarried
-His or her parent or step-parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
-He or she resided with the abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent or step-parent

-He or she has good moral character
-He or she has suffered extreme cruelty or abuse by his or her U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent or step-parent

You Need an Immigration Lawyer for Your Immigration Petitions and Cases

Successful adjudication of your immigration petitions and cases through the numerous deadlines, intricate requirements, and complex processes could be extremely difficult if you do not have an immigration lawyer. With immigration laws constantly changing, understanding what is required and when is very difficult to understand; thus, calling for the assistance of experienced immigration lawyer.

Steve E. Haddad, Attorney at Law can help you through the preparation of your petitions and applications, contact us today at (219) 554-0200.