An incoming immigrant often relies on the support of a sponsor to pursue their hopes of residency in the U.S., and just as often, this sponsor is the romantic partner of the applicant. Unfortunately, many of these immigrants can become victims of violence at the hands of the people they trust and love.
An estimated 10 million people in the United States experience domestic abuse yearly. This type of violence affects as many as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men.
A Vawa Visa can be useful for immigrants abused by their citizenship or permanent residency-holding sponsor, giving them employment authorization and access to public benefits while helping them separate from their abuser.
A Vawa Visa is a self-petitioning visa, meaning you don’t need a sponsor to apply for one. While many immigrants worry about retaliation from their sponsor and the possibility of deportation, a California Vawa Visa lawyer can help you discretely prepare for each step of your application process.
This process, according to USCIS, will be conducted without your abusive family member’s knowledge or their need for consent. The team at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law has years of experience advocating for countless immigrants in your shoes, and we’re standing by to help you, too.
Our consultations are confidential and come with no obligation to retain the services of our firm. We serve applicants regardless of the stage of their application, providing aid through your visa application, interview, renewal, and appeal processes. Call (559) 878-4958 or contact us online to schedule a case review today.
A California Vawa Visa Attorney Can Increase Your Chances of Success
No one should have to endure the pain and suffering caused by domestic abuse, and thankfully, there are important resources available for immigrants who are victims. You can gain an independent residency through the Vawa Visa without a petitioning sponsor.
A Vawa Visa lawyer can help you understand the fine details of the application process and prepare you as each step of your application unfolds. You’ll need to be efficient and organized to present a successful application. An experienced attorney from Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law can alleviate much of that pressure and manage the contents of your application on your behalf.
Your attorney at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law can serve you by:
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- Keeping you informed about your available visa options, as many applicants may not be aware that the visa they researched and planned on applying for isn’t their optimal choice.
- Aiding you through the identity verification process. This paperwork can also be a hassle to file, but a Vawa Visa attorney in California can take care of this task for you.
- Preparing you for your interview, which includes anticipating frequently asked questions and red flags your interviewer is trained to look out for.
- Representing you through any appeals to denials, which require skilled representation to increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
- Expediting your application and approval process by saving you precious time and acting as a professional set of eyes that can thoroughly review your application for any technicalities which might delay or halt your approval.
- Being a knowledgeable and reliable advocate. When you walk through the visa application process, you should be able to lean on a professional representative for advice, aid, and resources. Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law provides this for our clients.
Violence Against Women Act
The Vawa Visa is extended from the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The visa was enacted to assist spouses, domestic partners, or children looking to escape an abusive environment perpetuated by their citizenship or permanent residency-holding sponsor.
In 2000, the Act expanded to serve better those with limited financial resources, educational opportunities, and victims of human trafficking.
Vawa laws provide programs and services, including the Federal Rape Shield Law, community violence prevention programs, and protections for victims evicted from their homes because of related domestic violence. Vawa protections do apply to men and children. Recently divorced ex-spouses may also be eligible for a Vawa Visa as well.
What Type of Abuse Qualifies for a Vawa Visa?
Every domestic violence situation will look different, and the Vawa Visa accounts for many victims experiencing different types of abuse. For more information about Vawa protections and abuse specifications, speak with a California Vawa Visa attorney.
The Vawa Visa specifically accounts for the following types of abuse:
- Abusive sexual contact
- Physical or sexual assault
- Rape
- Animal cruelty
- Emotional abuse
- Threats of physical abuse
- Threats to have the victim deported
- Forced isolation
- Financial control
The VAWA National Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).
Eligibility and Filing Requirements
Just like with any other visa, there are some eligibility and detail-specific requirements that all applicants must consider.
To self-petition for a Vawa Visa, you must be able to prove that the relationship with your sponsor fits one or more of these circumstances:
- You must have been previously married to or are still married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Marriage was terminated by death or divorce related to the abuse within two years before filing for the visa
- You believed that your marriage was legitimate but found out that it was not because of your spouse’s bigamy
- You are the parent of a child who is experiencing abuse at the hands of their U.S citizen or residency-holding sponsor
- You are the parent of an abusive citizenship or residency-holding sponsor
You may also apply for a Vawa Visa if your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse is abroad employed by the U.S. government or armed services.
What Do I Need to Apply for a Vawa Visa?
It can be difficult to manage the paperwork and other procedures involved in a visa application while simultaneously trying to keep it secret from your sponsor. A Vawa Visa lawyer in California can take on this part of the application process for you.
With a Vawa visa lawyer, you can move forward feeling confident that your application is completed with the highest integrity and efficiency.
To apply for a Vawa Visa, applicants will need to complete the following:
- Form I-360, which helps declare immigrant classification
- A personal declaration
- Police clearance exemplifying your good moral character
- Documentation to prove the abuser’s status
- Form I-485, an application for permanent residence or to adjust status
- Form I-94, a copy of your arrival and departure records
- Form I-693, which is a report of a medical examination and vaccination record
- Evidence of relationship, abuse, and residency in connection with the abuser
- Evidence that any children accounted for are yours, under 21, and unmarried
Help Is Out There, Call a Vawa Visa Lawyer at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law Today!
The reporting rate for domestic abuse is extremely low among immigrants because of looming fears surrounding their sponsor’s power over their life. A California Vawa Visa attorney can help applicants through the self-petitioning visa process, strengthening the chances of a successful application.
The experienced legal team at Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law serves each client with dedication, commitment, and extreme diligence. We can oversee each application step and ensure that every aspect is comprehensively organized.
We are passionate about what we do, and our prime objective is to aid you through your journey toward your goals in the U.S. All you have to do is pick up the phone.
Call (559) 878-4958 or contact us online to schedule a confidential, no-obligation case review today.
