Emotional Abuse: The Silent Struggle in VAWA’s Framework

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was a groundbreaking move in 1994 to address and mitigate the deeply rooted issues of domestic and sexual violence in the U.S. While physical violence often stands out as the most visible form of abuse, VAWA’s acknowledgment of emotional abuse represents a crucial step towards understanding the multifaceted nature […]

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Curious about how Presidential Candidate Joe Biden’s immigration plan may affect your family? *********************************************** ¿Tiene curiosidad sobre cómo el plan de inmigración de la candidata presidencial Joe Biden puede afectar a su familia?

The Biden-Harris Administration has proposed a compassionate and inclusive plan to not only address the damage to our immigration and asylum systems during the past four years, but to encourage a modernization and reform of our immigration policy to the benefit of us all. Some major highlights include promoting a pathway to U.S. Citizenship for […]

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Happy 6th Year Anniversary!

August 15, 2020 is the Law Office of Karen Winston’s 6th year anniversary. We are extraordinarily grateful to our team and our clients for making our success possible. Over the past 6 years, we have assisted hundreds of families and thousands of clients achieve their immigration dreams. The last few years, and especially this past […]

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Our Team, Karen “Karina” Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant

Karina has been the Administrative Assistant with our team for the past year. Karina is responsible for processing our mail, scheduling consults, receiving payments, and greeting prospective and current clients. If you contact our office, you will most likely interact with Karina who is friendly, funny, and kind-hearted. In fact, our Karina is the most un-Karen “Karen” out there. Originally from #Mexico, Karina is fluent in Spanish. When not at the office Karina enjoys spending time with her husband and her fur-baby – a pug named Chato. Thank you, Karina, for being you. We are so fortunate to have you as part of our team! […]

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Nuestro Equipo, Crisceidi “Cris” Diaz

Cris es asistente legal de nuestra oficina y es conocida por su compasión, amabilidad y conocimiento tecnológico. Cris ha estado con la firma por 4 años. Ella es una pro con la preparación de U-visas, VAWA auto-peticiones, peticiones I-751, peticiones familiares, #fiancevisas, # casos de naturalización y más. Originaria de Cuba, Cris emigró a los EE. UU. A los 14 años. Cris es una supermamá de tres chicos guapos, y con una reserva de paciencia aparentemente interminable, hace que el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida de la madre parezca fácil. Cris habla español con fluidez. […]

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Our Team, Paralegal Elizabeth “Liz” Batista

Liz is a senior paralegal with the Law Office of Karen Winston who brings smarts, passion, and excellence to everything she does. Liz has been a part of our team for 5 years and is highly experienced in #waiver cases, family petitions, #adjustment of status, consular processing, removal of conditions, naturalization, DACA, and humanitarian forms of relief. Originally from Mexico, Liz has lived in the U.S. for over 14 years. Liz is a new mom, a loving wife, and an awesome cook. She is fluent in Spanish. […]

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How can the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) help an abused spouse obtain lawful permanent residence (green card)?

Under VAWA, noncitizen victims of domestic violence may “self-petition” for U.S. residence without the cooperation of an abusive spouse. Victims may also self-petition if they are divorced as long as the marriage to the abusive spouse was terminated within two years of filing the petition. An approved VAWA self-petition provides the applicant with work authorization, […]

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5 Common Myths about the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions

The abuse must be physical. One requirement to qualify under VAWA is that the petitioner has been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty. Domestic violence may be physical, but verbal abuse or emotional abuse are also forms of domestic violence and depending on the specific circumstances, may amount to extreme cruelty. Only women qualify for […]

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