The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of the INA allows certain victims of domestic violence to seek refuge and independence from their abuser. This amendment is permanent, never requires reauthorization by Congress, and is meant to help women and men equally.

As the battered spouse, child, or parent of a United States citizen, or the spouse or child of a green card holder, you could be eligible to petition for yourself without your abuser ever being notified.

Who is Eligible?

As a spouse, you could be eligible to self-petition if you or your child have endured physical abuse or exceptional cruelty from an abusive U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse. Provided you married your spouse in good faith, you have lived with your spouse, and you are someone of upstanding moral character, you may qualify even if:

• The abusive marriage ended due to death or divorce (because of the abuse) within 2 years of your filing the petition, or
• Your abuser lost or gave up his or her citizenship or residency because of domestic violence within 2 years of your filing the petition, or
• The marriage was not legitimate due to your spouse’s bigamy, as long as you believed you were legally married.

As a child, you could be eligible to self-petition if you have endured physical abuse or exceptional cruelty at the hands of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent. Provided you have lived with that parent and are someone of good moral character (children under age 14-years are assumed to be), you may qualify even if your abusive parent lost citizenship or residency because of an act of domestic violence.

As a parent, you could be eligible to self-petition if you have endured physical abuse or exceptional cruelty at the hands of a U.S. citizen son or daughter (offspring). Provided you have lived with your abusive offspring who is aged 21-years or older and a U.S. citizen, and you are someone of upstanding moral character, you may qualify even if:

• Your U.S. citizen offspring lost or gave up their citizenship because of an act of domestic violence, or
• Your U.S. citizen offspring who was 21-years or older died within the 2 years preceding your petition.

Call today for a free VAWA consultation

The VAWA process is very complicated, so the best chance of success comes by working with an experienced immigration attorney. We are highly experienced in US immigration law. Our attorneys, translators and support staff will work with you individually to give you the best chance of success possible.  We know how difficult and heart wrenching the VAWA process can be, and we will be with you every step of the way.

Your citizenship and your residency status is something you should entrust to a professional. Call the top New York Immigration Attorneys at toll free at  (888) ZONTLAW / (888) 9668529

Becoming a US citizen entails specific rights, duties and following benefits: consular protection outside the United States; ability to sponsor relatives living abroad; ability to invest in US. real property without triggering additional taxes; transmitting US citizenship to children; protection from deportation and others. U.S. law permits multiple citizenship. A citizen of another country naturalized as a U.S. citizen may retain his previous citizenship