A: There are many different situations that allow you to apply for VAWA protection on Long Island. Primarily, you have to be the victim of abuse, battery, or cruelty by a family member who is an American citizen. This abuse could be physical, emotional, economic, or mental. You will need to be able to prove it with medical reports, police reports, and witness testimony. However, witness statements and a personal declaration can be enough evidence in some cases.
Long Island VAWA Immigration Lawyer
Long Island VAWA Immigration Attorney
There are many different reasons people choose to pursue a visa or a green card. One reason is due to acts of violence. If you are an immigrant married to or the child of an abusive United States citizen, you do have options you can pursue. A Long Island VAWA immigration lawyer can help you figure out your next steps.
The legal team at Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco knows how emotional and complicated it can be to pursue the route of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) immigration. To ensure you don’t make any costly mistakes with your application, you should hire a Long Island VAWA immigration attorney, particularly one with knowledge of the country’s VAWA immigration laws and considerable experience handling VAWA immigration cases like yours. Our firm can help.
VAWA Immigration Eligibility and Process
In order to secure VAWA immigration status, you must make sure that you meet the minimum requirements for it. VAWA immigration requires you to meet specific legally-mandated standards. If you don’t meet these standards, your application won’t move forward, and you will have to pursue a visa or green card another way. Eligibility status includes:
- You must be the spouse, child, or parent of an abusive United States citizen or permanent resident.
- You must have been the victim of battery, abuse, or extreme cruelty by a family member who is a citizen. You must be able to prove this abuse, which can include emotional and/or psychological abuse.
- You must file a VAWA self-petition, which is Form I-360. You can do this without your abuser’s consent or knowledge.
- Be sure to provide proof of abuse, proof of your relationship, proof of the abuser’s citizenship status, and proof of your own good moral character.
The process for applying for VAWA immigration can be overwhelming and complex, which is why it may be important and helpful for you to hire a lawyer. The process includes the following necessary steps:
- First, you must determine your eligibility and gather the necessary documents. Evidence of your abuse can include medical reports, police reports, shelter documents, and witness statements.
- Next, once you have gathered all the documentation, you must file the VAWA petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will include all of your documentation. Any documents that need to be translated into English must include said translation.
- After filing your petition, you can file a form to receive a work authorization, and you can file a form to get a green card. You will also be required to get a medical exam.
Why Hire a VAWA Immigration Lawyer?
There are many vital reasons to hire a VAWA immigration lawyer. If you are considering applying for VAWA immigration status, there’s a strong chance you are already enduring serious emotional strife in the home. Having a lawyer take over your case can be helpful. At Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, we can dedicate considerable resources to your case. Our team speaks multiple languages and can provide you with a focused, empathetic approach.
You may want to keep in mind that your case is not as unique as you may initially think. According to recent statistical data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, there were over 70,000 VAWA petitions filed in 2024 from spouses, children, and parents of abusive citizens, with over 11,000 of those petitions approved.
There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you really need it. If you are an immigrant who is also dealing with domestic violence, there are many different support groups that can help you. You may want to look into one of these local groups, such as L.I. Against Domestic Violence or Safe Horizon. Sometimes, having someone to talk to about your concerns can make all the difference, as can having a safe space to rest for a while as you contemplate your next move.
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Contact a Long Island VAWA Immigration Lawyer Today
At Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, we can help you work through your VAWA application while you focus on taking care of yourself during this trying time. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about what we can do for you.
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