VAWA 101 AND INADMISSIBILITY ISSUES


To review basic requirements for self
petitioning under VAWA
To introduce participants to the basics of
adjustment of status
THE KEY TO YOUR CLIENT’S CASE
soniak@icadv.org

Definition of Domestic Violence
Pattern of continuous abusive behaviors
 Physical
 Psychological
 Emotional
 Verbal
Used by one person to exercise power and
control over another person
soniak@icadv.org

Emotional Abuse

Economic Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Coercion & Threats

Using Children

Intimidation

Isolation


Using Citizenship or
Residency Privilege
Minimizing, Denying
& Blaming
soniak@icadv.org

“being the victim of any act of a threatened
act of violence, including any forceful
detention, which results or threatens to
result in physical or mental injury.
Psychological or sexual abuse or
exploitation, including rape, molestation
incest (if the victim is a minor) or forced
prostitution shall be considered acts of
violence. Other abusive actions may also be
acts of violence under this rule. Acts or
threatened acts that, in and of themselves,
may not initially appear violent may be part
of an overall pattern of violence”
soniak@icadv.org
soniak@icadv.org

Applications filed with DHS
VAWA self petition
Battered spouse waivers
U visa
T visa

Defenses before immigration judge
Cancellation of Removal under VAWA
Asylum/Gender Asylum
soniak@icadv.org



Section 384 of The Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)
In no case may any CIS employee
“permit use by or disclosure to
anyone…of any information which
relates to an alien who is the
beneficiary of an application for relief”
under the VAWA provisions.
Violations are grounds for
disciplinary action and/or
fine
soniak@icadv.org
A pre-VAWA attempt to help
battered immigrants
 The battered spouse waiver
allows the removing conditions
on residency without:
◦ Relying on the batterer
◦ Having to remain in abusive
relationship for 2 years

soniak@icadv.org
soniak@icadv.org


Subjected to Battery or Extreme Cruelty
By a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent
Resident Spouse or Parent
◦ File within 2 years of divorce



With Whom You Resided
Good Moral Character
Good Faith Marriage
Prima Facie Determination = Public Benefits
soniak@icadv.org
Margarita, a citizen from Canada, is married
to Jacobo, a student from England. They got
married in England. Jacobo has been
physically abusing Margarita for the past
three months. She is concerned because the
abuse is escalating.
1. What is the immigration status of Margarita?
2. Does she have any remedies under VAWA?
soniak@icadv.org






Abused biological child
Abused step-children
Abused mother can include children from
other relationships in her self-petition
Termination of parental rights no effect
Under 21 years of age
NEW EXCEPTION-
◦ Over 21 under 25 if shows connection between
not filing on time and abuse
soniak@icadv.org
Proof of prior divorces of both parties
 Common law marriages are valid if valid
under family laws
 Bigamy by abuser will not bar filing if

Good faith intent by applicant AND
Legal ceremony

Good faith marriage
Not solely to gain immigration status
soniak@icadv.org
STANDARD
OF PROOF
ANY CREDIBLE EVIDENCE
soniak@icadv.org


Any credible evidence
Critical evidence
◦ Applicant’s declaration
◦ Corroborative evidence
◦ Systems documentation: Protection order,
medical records, police reports
◦ Expert declarations: shelter workers, battered
women’ advocates, persons providing mental
health treatment (not just assessment)
◦ Family court findings re: domestic violence, legal
marriage, abuser’s immigration status
soniak@icadv.org
REQUIREMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
soniak@icadv.org
QUALIFYING RELATIONSHIP
soniak@icadv.org
RESIDED TOGHETER
soniak@icadv.org
BATTERY OR EXTREME
CRUELTY
soniak@icadv.org
School Records
 Police Records
 Expert Testimony
 Protection Orders
 Civil Court Records
 Medical Records
 Criminal Court
 Photographs &
Records
Letters
 Statements from
 Material Evidence
Shelter Workers and
 Witness Affidavits
Other Counselors

soniak@icadv.org
ABUSER’S STATUS
USC/LPR
soniak@icadv.org






Statement in
victim’s affidavit
Copy of green card
Birth certificate
Baptismal
certificate
Copy of U.S.
passport
Naturalization
certificate
Statement from
consular official
certifying
citizenship
 State Department
form verifying
citizen birth abroad
 Request USCIS
search its records

soniak@icadv.org
GOOD FAITH MARRIAGE
soniak@icadv.org






Marriage certificate
Marriage license
Evidence of wife’s prior
divorces
Wedding pictures
Vacation, holiday,
family event photos
Birth certificates for
children




Love letters
Letters to victim’s
family by spouse
Victim’s affidavit
discussion the
courtship and
marriage
Photo ID with
married name
soniak@icadv.org



Affidavits from
persons who knew
abuser and spouse
as married couple
Joint leases, bank
accounts, tax
returns
Police, medical,
court documents
about relationship



Abuser listed as
emergency contact
Insurance policies
with spouse as
beneficiary
Evidence that the
couple lived
together
soniak@icadv.org




Child’s birth
certificate
Legal legitimation
or
acknowledgement
Adoption decree
If over 21 but under
25,must show
connection with
abuse and not filing
on time.




If step child:
Parents marriage
license/certificate
Birth certificate
Marriage of natural
parent to stepparent before child
turned 18.
soniak@icadv.org
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
soniak@icadv.org

Criminal records check
◦ Every place victim lived for 6 months in past 3
years


Domestic violence convictions and
protection order violations can bar good
moral character
VAWA 2000: even if barred, may be
overcome for victims if “waivable” AND
connected to domestic violence
soniak@icadv.org







Client’s Affidavit
Supporting Documents (safety planning)
Forms I-360/G-28
Fee or Fee Waiver NO FEE
Cover Letter
Good Moral Conduct Certificate
Application is filed w/ the Vermont Service
Center
soniak@icadv.org



Notice of Prima Facie Determination
This means the applicant is a “qualified”
alien for the purpose of obtaining public
assistance.
Approval and Deferred Action
DHS has assigned a low priority to the
removal of this person from the United
States.
Employment Authorization Document
A card which grants permission to work
in the United States- 274 a 12 c 31 or 12
c 14
soniak@icadv.org
adjustment
of status in the
U.S.
VAWA self-petitioners do
not have to leave the
country
consular processing outside
of the U.S.
soniak@icadv.org


Prepare applications for adjustment of status
Creatively document arguments for
overcoming barriers to adjustment

Who can adjust here? Who must go abroad?

What are VAWA exceptions?

What’s happening in your district?


Form I-485 (one for each derivative)
Filing fee - $325 ($225? if under age 14)
◦ Fee waivers available


Form G-325 (if 14 or older)
Fingerprint fee - $70.00
◦ Fingerprint appointment scheduled by USCIS

Four photos (some USCIS offices require less)



•
•
Notice of approval of I-360 (unless filed at same
time with I-360 at VSC)
Form I-693 Medical Exam
◦ By immigration-approved civil surgeon
Copy of passport and I-94 (if any)
Evidence of financial support
Birth certificate with translation

Strategy when 130 = pending

General VAWA adjustment

U & T adjustment

What should you do about derivatives here?

Abroad?

What do you ask to ferret out problems?

What are most common problems?

Prior Removals

Unlawful presence

Fraud

Crimes

Entries and exits

Manner of entry

Encounters with DHS

Fraud

Public charge

Crimes

The ground doesn’t apply at all
◦ Elements that trigger are lacking
◦ Get the state statute and check

Or there’s an exception
◦ Crimes of Moral Turpitude

Even if it does apply, there’s a waiver

Good moral character bars

Good faith marriage concerns

Good and bad of addressing in SP

212(i) for Fraud
◦ Extreme Hardship to Self and/or
 USC/LPR/Qualified Alien parent or child

212(h) for CMTs & 30 grams or less
◦ (1)(C) = qualifies as self-petitioner

212(d)(13) & (14) for Ts & Us
◦ T = national interest and connection to
victimization
◦ U = public or national interest



Form I-601
Fee - $ 545.00.
Supporting documents (SELF+RELATIVES)
◦
◦
◦
◦

212(i) – EH to self/qualifying relative
If QR, proof of relationship and
Proof of qualifying relative’s status
212(h) = VAWA approval
Discretionary factors
◦ Rehab & positive work





Adjustment
Us & Ts (termination)
VAWA Cancellation
SIJs
Asylum


In absentia
Merits
Website info:
www.asistahelp.org
Questions or technical assistance?
Questions@asistahelp.org
Join VAWAExperts and VAWAupdates
PRESENTADO POR:
Sonia Parras Konrad
Maria Jose Fletcher

TERMINOLOGIA
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
ALIENS/EXTRANJEROS
NO INMIGRANTES
INMIGRANTES
VISAS
“GREEN CARD”
CATEGORIAS
ESPECIALES
 ASILIADO
 REFUGIADO

LA PREFERENCIA
DE FAMILIA
◦ PETICIONARIO
◦ BENEFICIARIO
 CIUDADANO
AMERICANO
 RESIDENTE LEGAL
PERMANENTE
 FECHA DE PRIORIDAD

CUIDADANO
AMERICANO
◦ ESPOSA/O
◦ HIJOS NO CASADOS
( –21)
◦ HIJOS CASADOS
(+21)
◦ PADRES (+21)
◦ HERMANOS

CIUDADANO =
PETICIONARIO
FAMILIAR= BENEFICIARIO

ESPOSA E HIJOS

◦ UN SOLO PASO
◦ AUTORIZACION DE
EMPLEO
◦ ESPERA A LA
ENTREVISTA FINAL
◦ CUIDADO! 245 (I)

RESIDENTE LEGAL
PERMANENTE
◦ ESPOSA
◦ HIJOS MENORES DE
21
◦ HIJOS MAYORES DE
21 NO CASADOS

PROCEDIMIENTO
◦ 2 PASOS
 PETICION
 AJUSTE DE ESTATUS
 I-130, ESPERA A LA
FECHA DE PRIORIDAD
 FECHA DE PRIORIDAD
VIGENTE
 PERMISO DE TRABAJO
 AJUSTE DE ESTATUS
1.
A.
B.
ESPOSAS,VIUDAS
(usc) O
DIVORCIADAS E
HIJOS DE:
CIUDADANOS
AMERICANOS
RESIDENTES
PERMANENTES
•
3.
4.
5.
6.
ATENCION:


FECHA LIMITE DE DOS
ANOS
CUIDADO CON LA
BIGAMIA
◦
PERSONAS DE BUEN
CARACTER MORAL
CASADAS DE BUENA
FE
ALGUNAS MUJERES
PODRAN ENVIAR SU
CASO DESDE OTROS
PAISES
SON O HAN SIDO
VICTIMAS DEL
ABUSO EN EL
HOGAR
ABUSO FISICO O
CRUELDAD EXTREMA

ESPOSAS(VIUDAS USC
EVIDENCIAS DE QUE EL
ESPOSO ES UN CIUDADANO O
Y DIVORCIADAS DE USC Y UN RESIDENTE?
LPR)
HIJOS DE:
◦ CIUDADANOS
AMERICANOS
◦ RESIDENTES
PERMANENTES.
(RELACION BAJO INA).
◦ CASADAS, EN UNION
LIBRE, DIVORCIADAS O
CIUDADANO FALLECIDO
EN LOS ULTIMOS DOS
ANOS (CUIDADO CON LA
BIGAMIA).
EVIDENCIAS?

MATRIMONIO
CONTRAIDO EN
BUENA FE
EVIDENCIAS?

PERSONA DE BUEN
CARACTER MORAL
EVIDENCIAS?

RESIDIO CON EL
ABUSADOR EN LOS
ESTADOS UNIDOS
O EN OTRO PAIS
EVIDENCIAS?

SON O HAN SIDO
VICTIMAS DEL
ABUSO EN EL
HOGAR
◦ ABUSO FISICO O
CRUELDAD
EXTREMA
EVIDENCIAS?

Immigrantes & No immigrantes

Immigracion a traves de miembros familiares
especificos

“No-ciudadanos”

Quien es indocumentado?

Ana viene a hacer una consulta sobre una
orden de proteccion. Cuando le preguntas
sobre su estatus de inmigracion, Ana te
explica que ella es una residente. Cuando ves
su tarjeta de residente las letras CR1
aparecen en el frente.
◦ Necesita Ana ayuda de inmigracion?

Acceso a beneficios publicos

Acceso a servicios legales


Acceso a servicios para personas que no
hablan Ingles con fluidez (LEP)
Vias especiales para conseguir estatus de
inmigracion





Estatus especial de inmigracion para juveniles
Perdon de la residencia condicional
Peticion propia & Cancelacion
Visas U & T
Peticion propia para padres de ciudadanos
estadounidenses abusivos
RERFERENCIA A MATERIALES






Presencia ilegal
Enfermedades contagiosas
Fraude de documentacion
Entrada ilegal
Deportaciones previas
Crimenes