An Immigration Attorney in Woburn Explains How a Battered Spouse, Child, or Parent Can Obtain a Green Card

If you are a battered spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you may file an immigrant visa petition under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). Under the VAWA, which applies to both women and men, you may file a visa petition without the abuser’s knowledge. An immigration attorney in Woburn can confidentially help you with this procedure.

Eligibility

Those eligible to file include:

  • Spouse: You may file if you are, or were, the abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You may include on your petition your unmarried children who are under 21 if they have not filed for themselves.
  • Parent: You may file if you are the parent of a child who has been abused by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse. You may include on your petition your children, including those who have not been abused, if they have not filed for themselves. You may also file if you are the parent of a U.S. citizen who has abused you.
  • Child: You may file if you are an unmarried child under 21, who has been abused by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent. You may include your children on your petition. You may file for yourself after age 21 but before age 25 if you can show that the abuse was the main reason for the later filing.

All filers must also establish that they are of good moral character and resided with the abuser.

Documents

To obtain a visa based on abuse, you must submit a Form I-360 and all supporting documentation. An immigration attorney in Woburn can help you prepare and submit the most compelling documents.

If You Are Approved

If your file is approved, you will receive a notice valid for 150 days that you can present to government agencies to obtain public benefits for victims of domestic violence. You may be able to remain in the U.S. and apply for work. With an approved Form I-360, you may be eligible to file for a green card.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the gift tax, please contact an immigration attorney in Woburn today at 781-674-2562 to schedule a free consultation.