People immigrate to the United States for a wide variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is to escape abuse. In many cases, that abuse is the result of events happening in their home country, such as their government persecuting people like them, an ongoing military conflict, or a widespread and long-lasting crime wave.
However, when they arrive in this country, they hope things will be different and they will be safe. Unfortunately, not all of them are, especially women. In some cases, female immigrants face danger in the United States in the form of domestic violence. If the person who abuses a female immigrant is their spouse, parent, or child and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, the female immigrant can be protected from deportation and given the opportunity to remain in the U.S. with a green card under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
How to Qualify for Immigration Relief Under the Violence Against Women Act
The Violence Against Women Act was signed into law in 1994. The purpose of the VAWA is to create cost-effective and comprehensive responses that better protect women from dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
The VAWA includes a provision that provides female immigrants who are victims of domestic violence and involved in deportation proceedings the opportunity to apply for immigration relief. Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify:
- Applicants must have been living in the United States for over three years before they were put into deportation proceedings
- Applicants must have suffered extreme cruelty and/or battery at the hands of a spouse, parent, or child who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Applicants must prove that their deportation would cause extreme hardship to themselves, their kids, or their parents
- Applicants must have displayed good moral character for at least the previous three years
- Applicants must not be subject to any of U.S. immigration law’s grounds for inadmissibility
Schedule an Immigration Consultation with Our Experienced Removal Defense Lawyers Today
Unfortunately, many immigrants escape one horrible situation just to wind up in another. For many female immigrants, a chance to start fresh in the United States is a dream come true. However, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if they become the victim of domestic violence. Sadly, that is the case for many female immigrants. Fortunately, the Violence Against Women Act can help female immigrants who are victims of domestic violence escape their abusers, avoid deportation, and remain in the U.S. with a green card.
To take advantage of the VAWA, female immigrants will need the guidance of an experienced immigration attorney with a history of success. At Appel & Morse, our immigration lawyers have over 40 years of combined legal experience, and we have been protecting our clients’ rights and helping them fight for their right to remain in the U.S. for years.
To learn more about our team of experienced removal defense attorneys, check out our clients’ testimonials.
To speak with our experienced immigration attorneys about your situation, give us a call at (805) 467-6060 or contact us online today.