Responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledging the difficulties which may be faced by applicants in meeting certain deadlines, USCIS has again extended some deadlines. The USCIS deadline extension notice says that USCIS will accept a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date listed in the request or notice. This applies […]
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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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