The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows noncitizens who have been abused by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member to apply for legal status independently, without the knowledge or assistance of their spouse. You don’t need your abuser’s help or approval to take control of your immigration case.   To…

  As we continue to navigate the complexities of immigration law, I am constantly reminded of the kindness that exists in the world—particularly the kindness of strangers. Time and time again, we witness people stepping up to help those they barely know, often making life-changing differences for others. This quarter, I want to share a…

  As of September 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) confirmed that all visa numbers in the employment-based (EB) categories for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) have been used. This includes EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EW (other workers), EB-4, and EB-5 (unreserved) visas. No more immigrant visas or green cards will be issued in these…

    If you’re applying for protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), you may wonder whether you should get an annulment or a divorce. This decision can impact your VAWA case, as the legal difference between the two can affect your eligibility.   An annulment legally voids a marriage, making it as though…

    Many people believe that they must be physically separated (or divorced) from their abusive spouse to qualify for protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). However, this is not true. VAWA protects non-citizen spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are victims of abuse, even if they…

The T Visa offers protection and legal status in the United States for victims of human trafficking, including those exploited by employers through forced labor. This visa is intended for individuals who have been coerced into working under harsh conditions, often without proper compensation.   To qualify for a T Visa, applicants must show that…

  Winning a VAWA case involves careful preparation and clear documentation. VAWA provides protection for survivors of domestic violence, allowing them to apply for legal status without relying on their abuser. Most VAWA cases handled by our firm involve spousal abuse.  To be eligible to file a successful VAWA based on an abusive marriage, you…

The Parole in Place program, which allows certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request temporary lawful presence and receive a green card without first leaving the country, is experiencing major disruptions. Although applications can still be filed, no approvals will be issued during this period. This could result in delays and uncertainty…

We are pleased to share a recent success story! Another one of our clients has received Green Card approval through a VAWA self-petition. This marks a significant step toward securing their permanent residency and independence in the United States.   VAWA provides a way for immigrant survivors of domestic violence to apply for a Green…

  Filing a VAWA self-petition can raise concerns, particularly about whether you’ll need to testify about the abuse you experienced. Fortunately, when applying for VAWA, you do not have to testify in court and, in most cases, do not have to discuss the abuse in person with USCIS officers.  The process is designed to protect…