VAWA Immigration Attorney
If you are a victim of domestic violence, battery, or extreme cruelty, you may qualify for a VAWA visa. This option allows you to apply for lawful immigration status without depending on your abuser. Our experienced immigration lawyer for VAWA cases can guide you through the process with compassion and confidentiality.
What Is VAWA?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides immigration relief to individuals who have suffered abuse from a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. You may be eligible to file a VAWA petition even if you’re no longer living with the abuser or are divorced.
This law protects all genders and includes cases of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse.
VAWA Eligibility Requirements
To apply for VAWA, you must meet certain conditions, such as:
- Being a spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
- Showing evidence of abuse or extreme cruelty.
- Proving a good-faith relationship with the abuser.
- Having lived with the abuser at some point.
- Maintaining good moral character.
Our team will evaluate your situation and determine your VAWA eligibility confidentially and respectfully.
Benefits of VAWA Protection
Filing a VAWA petition can grant you:
- Legal stay in the United States.
- Work authorization.
- The ability to apply for a Green Card.
- Independence from your abuser in your immigration process.
If approved, you can live safely and pursue your future in the U.S. without fear.
How to File a VAWA Petition
Filing for VAWA involves submitting Form I-360 and supporting evidence of your relationship and abuse. We can help you:
- Prepare your documentation.
- Write your personal declaration.
- Gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, or testimonies.
- Meet all deadlines and requirements.
Our VAWA immigration attorney will support you at every step to ensure your petition is strong and complete.
Why Work With an Immigration Lawyer for VAWA Cases?
A VAWA immigration case can be sensitive and complex. Our legal team understands the trauma survivors face and provides:
- Discreet, confidential guidance.
- Step-by-step support throughout the process.
- Personalized strategies to maximize your chances of success.
Let us help you regain control and rebuild your life with legal protection.
A successful VAWA case requires strong proof of legal requirements. For starters, a successful VAWA case has proof of the abuse. The proof can be a personal affidavit, police reports, witnesses’ affidavit, photos, hospital records, etc. In addition, you must prove that there was a good faith marriage if the abuser is your spouse or stepparent.
A successful VAWA case must also prove your relationship to the abuser and the immigration status of the abuser. You must also prove your good moral character and that you lived with the abuser.
Our VAWA attorneys create individualized VAWA self-petitions that highlights all the strengths of your case. We make strong legal arguments on your behalf so that you have a great chance of getting approved.
Yes. You can include in your VAWA self-petition your unmarried children under the age of 21.
Some VAWA self-petitioners can apply for a VAWA with adjustment of status or green card application. This will also include an application for employment authorization. You can work once the application for employment authorization is approved.
Generally, if you leave the United States with a pending application for adjustment of status, your application is deemed abandoned. However, you may be able to travel by first applying for advanced parole. Advanced parole allows you to appear at a U.S. port-of-entry and seek entry into the country after travel abroad with a pending adjustment of status application. However, your entry to U.S. is under the discretion of the port of entry officers. This means, there is no assurance that you will be allowed back in the U.S.
You can submit a VAWA self-petition to USCIS by filing a Form I-360. The petition must have all the supporting evidence and meet the legal requirements. Once the Form I-360 is approved, you can apply for Adjustment of Status (green card) or go through consular process.
Some VAWA petitions to USCIS may also include an Adjustment of Status application with to the Form I-360. This is called concurrent filing. Concurrent filing lets the petitioner get a green card at the time the VAWA is approved. This is the fastest and most effective way to obtain your green card.
Yes. This is called VAWA cancellation of removal. This is designed to keep victims of abuse from being deported. Noncitizen victims of abuse can ask an immigration court for VAWA cancellation of removal. If successful, the victim will receive a green card.
To qualify, the victim must have been subject to abuse, been present in the United States for at least 3 years, have good moral character, show that the removal would cause extreme hardship and that he or she is not inadmissible OR eligible for an inadmissibility waiver.
Our office recommends that you seek the help of our experienced and knowledgeable VAWA attorneys.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse and may qualify for a U.S. visa for domestic violence, don’t wait. Our experienced immigration lawyer for VAWA cases is here to listen, advise, and act. Schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward safety and independence.