Violence Against Women Act or VAWA
Violence Against Women Act or VAWA encompasses many benefits for victims of domestic violence, not all of which have to do only with immigration. Specifically in the arena of immigration, if affords protections for victims of domestic violence who are abused by their U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses. VAWA takes into account the unfortunate circumstances to which victims of domestic violence are subjected given that they are often being manipulated and abused by their U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses who often threaten to withdraw their immigrant petitions or “call immigration.” VAWA allows such victims to “self-petition” for their permanent resident status.
Abuse can come in many forms, not necessarily physical. Although more difficult, there successful cases where victims suffered from verbal and emotional abuse and were able to obtain legal status despite of lack of physical abuse.
If you are a victim of any kind of abuse at the hands of your spouse and he (or she) is threatening you with withholding your immigration status, you may be interested in having a consultation with us to determine if you are a candidate for protection under the Violence Against Women Act.