VAWA Application Forms in Birmingham

If you are a nonresident and your green card holder or U.S. spouse, partner, or fiancé is abusing you, you have recourse and do not have to stay in that relationship to remain in the country. Through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), you could achieve independent resident status or get your green card without your partner’s help or knowledge.

To begin the process, you must complete the required forms correctly and attach valid documentation to support your case. At Solano Immigration Law Firm, we deal with VAWA cases all the time. Our experienced immigration attorneys can help you complete the appropriate VAWA application forms in Birmingham and provide legal guidance throughout the process.

What Are the Most Important VAWA Application Forms?

Every applicant seeking to adjust their status through a VAWA application must file one or more of the following forms:

• Form I-360—the most important form for VAWA petitions
• Form I-485—a green card-based adjustment of status petition
• Form I-765—necessary to help secure a work permit
• Form I-601—requests USCIS to waive the applicant’s inadmissibility so they can come into the country

If you are a survivor and an undocumented or nonresident immigrant whose presence in the country is somewhat tied to your partner’s status as a citizen or green card holder, you will need to fill out additional forms.

Most VAWA applications are accompanied by a request for adjustment of status (green card) and for work authorization. These adjustments could help you get a job and live while you wait for a decision from the immigration authorities. An experienced immigration lawyer from our Birmingham team could review the details of your VAWA application and determine the filing requirements based on your circumstances.

Conditions for Applying for Residency Through VAWA

Birmingham applicants for an adjustment of status via a VAWA petition must meet certain eligibility requirements, including:

• Having been abused by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child (parents must be petitioned by a U.S. citizen child who is 21 or older).
• Having a qualifying relationship with the abuser (for example, spouse, child, or parent).
• Having lived with the abuser or currently residing with the abuser.
• Filing within two years of divorce or legal separation, if applicable.
• Showing the marriage was entered into in good faith when the claim is based on marriage.
• Establishing good moral character (generally assessed over the three years before filing) — certain convictions or conduct can affect eligibility.

These conditions are a necessary part of the process and will often determine if an applicant’s request is approved or denied. Our immigration lawyers have considerable VAWA petition experience and could explain what is required to meet these conditions.

The Role of Detailed Evidence in a VAWA Application

A vital aspect of filing a VAWA petition in Birmingham is the evidence submitted alongside Form I-360. It is not enough for the applicant to allege that they were abused by their partner. They must also provide concrete proof of a relationship and abuse in their application to back up their accusations.

This could include evidence of living with the abuser, medical reports, or proof of hospital visitation due to incidents of abuse, police reports, affidavits from witnesses, and court records (if possible).

Contact a Birmingham Lawyer About Filing a VAWA Application

You do not have to remain in an abusive relationship with a spouse or partner because they were meant to sponsor your citizenship or green card. An experienced immigration lawyer from Solano Immigration Law Firm could help you start the process of confidentially seeking an adjustment of status.

Our team could help you complete VAWA application forms in Birmingham and prepare solid evidence to help get your petition approved by the immigration authorities.

Call our firm today for a confidential consultation with an attorney.