VAWA AND IMMIGRATION The Basics
Transcript of VAWA AND IMMIGRATION The Basics
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VAWA AND IMMIGRATION
The Basics
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• INA §§204(a)(1)(A)(iii)-(vii)
• INA §§204(a)(1)(B)(ii)-(iii)
The Immigration and Nationality Act
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Relationship to family based petitions
Immediate relative petitions
vs
Preference category petitions
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Abused family members of USCs and (some) LPRsSelf petitions for
• Spouse of…
• Child of battered spouse included without separate petition
• Child of…
• May petition independent of parent or if parent was never subject to
abuse/extreme cruelty
• Parent of….
• U.S. citizen only, not available to parents of abusive LPRs
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Where are these clients?• Referrals
• Marketing
• Existing clients
Discovering VAWA eligibility in the middle of a
different type of case
Getting informed consent to proceed
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Your role as a legal advocate
• Rules of Professional Conduct
• Referrals to outside professionals
• Time
• Patience
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Considerations unique to VAWA clients
• Need for wrap around services
• Trauma/PTSD
• Continued cohabitation with abuser
• Uncertain communication or residence
• Lack of access to identity and other documents
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What must be established to qualify for VAWA
• Resided with abuser
• Evidence applicant battered or subject to extreme cruelty during the
relationship
• Good faith marriage
• Otherwise eligible for immediate relative or preference status
• Good moral character
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How to prove eligibility The best evidence vs what you can get
Forms
• G-28
• I-360
• G325A
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How to prove eligibility The best evidence vs what you can get
Evidence of abuse ---8 CFR §§ 204.2(c)(2)(iv) and (e)(2)(iv)….
• Reports and affidavits from police, judges and other court officials
• Medical personnel
• School officials
• Clergy
• Social workers
• Social service agency personnel
• OPs against the abuser or other legal or practical steps to end or document abuse
• Seeking refuge in shelter
• Consulting with a mental health professional
• Documenting injuries
• Consulting a lawyer specializing in family law
• Documenting nonqualifying abuses to show a pattern of abuse and violence
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How to prove eligibility The best evidence vs what you can get
Evidence of abuser’s status
• 8 CFR §103.2(b)(17)(ii)
• Petitioner MUST provide evidence of the abuser’s status but if
petitioner cannot do so, USCIS WILL ATTEMPT TO
ELECTRONICALLY VERIFY IT
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How to prove eligibility The best evidence vs what you can get
• Evidence of cohabitation
• Evidence of good faith marriage
• Evidence of good moral character
*REMEMBER: USCIS shall consider ANY credible evidence in adjudicating a VAWA case.
INA §204(a)(1)(J)
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Most common deficiencies in evidence to be overcome
• Unavailable documents
• Lack of official reports
• Continued relationship with abuser
• Divorce
• Remarriage
• Termination of abuser’s status
• End of relationship before time of filing or while petition
pending
• Children aging out
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How to prove eligibility The best evidence vs what you can get
How to overcome weaknesses in evidence • Client’s narrative
• Your narrative
• Building relationships with other professionals
• Client’s existing relationships/witnesses
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I-360 Process
Prima facie determination
• Entitles client to limited public benefits
• May be extended until final I-360
decision is made
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h t tp s : / / egov.u sc i s . gov /c r i s /p roce s sTimesD isp l ay.do
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I-360 Process I-360 approval
What it gets your client and what it does not
• Eligibility for work authorization
• Eligibility for limited public benefits
• Not guaranteed approval of I-485
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REASSURE YOUR CLIENT THAT
USCIS WILL MAINTAIN
CONFIDENTIALITY OF ALL FILINGS
AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
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Adjustment of Status
When can your client file for Adjustment of Status
• Immediate relative petitions
• Preference category petitions
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Adjustment of Status Forms• G-28
• I-360 approval
• I-485
• I-864W
• I-693
• I-765
Civil Documents• 2 Passport sized pictures
• Birth
• Marriage
• Death
• Divorce
• Certified dispositions of arrest
• Military records
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Adjustment of Status
USCIS fee
USCIS fee waiver
Form I-192
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Adjustment of StatusGrounds of Inadmissibility
• Crimes*
• Unlawful Presence*
*Apply but may be waived if nexus to abuse can be shown
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Adjustment of StatusGrounds of Inadmissibility
• Fraud*
*Applies but waiver available pursuant to INA 212(i) if
Applicant demonstrates extreme hardship to self or U.S.
Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident parent or child
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Adjustment of Status
IMPORTANT NOTE:
APPLICANT MAY NOT LATER FILE FOR ABUSER’S
LAWFUL STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES
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Citizenship…
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The importance of self-care…