The Violence Against Women Act allows abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to seek lawful status independently — without the abuser's knowledge, consent, or participation. Latif Law represents VAWA self-petitioners in Columbus and Central Ohio with strict confidentiality.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed in 1994 and reauthorized multiple times, creates an immigration safety net for individuals who have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member. Despite its name, VAWA's immigration protections apply equally regardless of gender.
A successful VAWA self-petition allows the abused person to obtain lawful status — and ultimately lawful permanent residence — without ever requiring the abuser's signature, cooperation, or knowledge. Federal confidentiality rules under 8 U.S.C. § 1367 prohibit USCIS and DHS from contacting or relying on information from the abuser.
Your safety matters. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Mention "VAWA immigration" when you call our office and we will treat your inquiry with strict confidentiality.
Current or former spouses of U.S. citizens or LPRs who suffered battery or extreme cruelty during the marriage. Includes step-parents abused by step-children's other parent.
Unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen or LPR parent who was the abuser. Children who have aged out may still qualify under certain conditions.
Parents of U.S. citizen sons or daughters age 21 or older where the U.S. citizen child was the abuser.
VAWA petitioners receive some of the strongest confidentiality protections in U.S. immigration law:
A self-petitioner must show:
Qualifying Relationship
A current or former spousal, parent-child, or child-parent relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident abuser.
Battery or Extreme Cruelty
Physical violence or other patterns of abuse including emotional abuse, threats, isolation, financial control, or sexual abuse.
Joint Residence
Evidence of having lived together with the abuser at some point during the qualifying relationship.
Good Moral Character
Generally three years of good moral character. Certain crimes may disqualify; many do not. An attorney can evaluate exceptions and waivers.
Good Faith Marriage (spouses only)
Evidence the marriage was entered into in good faith, not to obtain immigration benefits.
An approved VAWA self-petition (Form I-360) is the first step. The pathway to a green card depends on whether the abuser is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident:
Self-petitioner is treated as an immediate relative. Form I-485 may be filed concurrently with Form I-360 or as soon as the I-360 is approved.
Self-petitioner falls into the F2A preference category. Special priority-date protections apply if the abuser later loses status or naturalizes.
No. USCIS does not charge a filing fee for Form I-360 when filed as a VAWA self-petition. Fee waivers may also be available for related applications.
VAWA petitioners with an approved or prima facie I-360 may apply for an Employment Authorization Document. Some petitioners qualify for deferred action and a work permit even while the I-360 is pending.
You may still qualify if you file the VAWA petition within two years of the divorce, the divorce was connected to the abuse, or, if the abuser was a U.S. citizen, within two years of the abuser losing or renouncing citizenship.
Generally yes — the qualifying relationship must be to a U.S. citizen or LPR, and joint residence in the U.S. at some point is required. Specific exceptions exist for abuse that occurred while the petitioner was abroad with a U.S. government employee abuser.
VAWA self-petitioners receive favorable treatment for many forms of immigration relief, including waivers of certain inadmissibility grounds. Each case requires individual evaluation by counsel.
Confidential VAWA representation throughout the greater Columbus metro area:
Standard spousal petitions when both parties cooperate.
Learn more →Abuse-based waivers for conditional residents removing conditions on their green card.
Learn more →How VAWA petitioners fit within the F2A and other family categories.
Learn more →Your inquiry is confidential. We do not contact your abuser. Trilingual service in English, Arabic, and Spanish.