The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) created a legal permanent residency application process for individuals who had been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault by a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permeant Resident spouse or parent. The program was created to protect undocumented women and children from abuse by U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents who believed they could use their victim’s undocumented status to control them and further abuse them. If you have been a victim of abuse by a U.S. Citizen Parent or Spouse, you may be eligible to “self-petition” for your own legal permanent residence under the VAWA statutes without the cooperation of the abuser. Please contact our office if you have more questions about VAWA applications.
