Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Adjustment of Status
VAWA Petitions Attorney
As of April 2008, individuals in the United States seeking lawful permanent residency no longer need to depend on abusive U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR) family members to sponsor an adjustment of status application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Recognizing the significant number of immigrant victims of domestic violence, battery, and abuse, who are subjected to threats and denied legal immigration sponsorship by abusive family members as a means of control, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program enables victims to self-petition independently to seek relief from abusive relationships.
If you have experienced abuse or battery as a spouse, child, or parent, you may qualify to petition for adjustment of status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program. Additionally, parents of abused children have the option to self-petition for lawful permanent residency (LPR) status and obtain a green card.
How Do You Petition Under the VAWA Program?
VAWA petitions commence with Form I-360: Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. Upon approval of your petition, you can proceed with filing Form I-485: Adjustment of Status. A successful approval grants you lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and a green card, all without the need for a sponsor and without alerting the abuser.
Skilled legal counsel is vital for expediting a successful application for adjustment of status, as with all such petitions. At KR Law, our skilled attorney will ensure a streamlined and effective VAWA petition process with minimal wasted effort.
Demonstrating evidence of violence or abuse, meeting eligibility criteria for U.S. admission, maintaining good moral character, and fulfilling other requirements can often pose challenges. Nevertheless, achieving success paves the way for securing authorization for employment (Form I-765) and potentially pursuing naturalization for U.S. citizenship.