IMMIGRATION BATTERED SPOUSE, CHILDREN, OR PARENTS (VAWA) – FORT LAUDERDALE / MIAMI
As a battered spouse, child or parent, you may file an immigrant visa petition under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA allows certain spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) to file a petition for themselves without the abuser’s knowledge. This will allow you to seek both safety and independence from the abuser. The provisions of VAWA apply equally to women and men. Your abuser will not be notified that you have filed for immigration benefits under VAWA.
Help is also available from the National Domestic Violence Hotline at:
1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
The hotline has information about shelters, mental heath care, legal advice and other types of assistance, including information about filing for immigration status. For more information, visit the National Domestic Violence website.
Simply contact me 24/7 by phone at (954)-533-7593 or through email at [email protected] – and we can begin the process of settling your legal concerns.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A SPOUSE
- You are married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident abuser
- Your marriage to the abuser was terminated by death or a divorce (related to the abuse) within the 2 years prior to filing
- Your spouse lost or renounced citizenship or permanent resident status within the 2 years prior to filing due to an incident of domestic violence
- You believed that you were legally married to your abusive U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse but the marriage was not legitimate solely because of the bigamy of your abusive spouse
- You have been abused in the United States by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse
- You have been abused by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse abroad while your spouse was employed by the U.S. government or a member of the U.S. uniformed services
- You are the parent of a child who has been subjected to abuse by your U.S. citizen or permanent spouse
- You entered into the marriage in good faith, not solely for immigration benefits
- You have resided with your spouse
- You are a person of good moral character
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A CHILD
- You are the child of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident abuser
- You were the child of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident abuser who lost citizenship or lawful permanent resident status due to an incident of domestic violence
- You have been abused in the United States by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent
- You have been abused by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent abroad while your parent was employed by the U.S. government or a member of the U.S. uniformed services
- You have resided with the abusive parent
- You have evidence to prove your relationship to your parent
- You must provide evidence of good moral character if over the age of 14
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A PARENT
- You are the parent of a U.S. citizen son or daughter or were the parent of a U.S. citizen son or daughter who lost or renounced citizenship status related to an incident of domestic violence or died within 2 years prior to filing
- You have been abused by your U.S. citizen son or daughter
- You have resided with the abusive son or daughter
- You are a person of good moral character
