VAWA Applications in Mesa

Nobody should have to live in fear for their personal safety, especially within their own home. This notion applies regardless of whether someone is a United States citizen, legal resident, or illegal alien. Unfortunately, many people in this country live under the constant threat of violence. For this reason, the government enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

In certain situations, non-citizens who have experienced abuse can file VAWA applications in Mesa to obtain legal residency in this country. If you have suffered abuse from your immigration sponsor, an experienced attorney could explain this legal process and help you file the appropriate paperwork.

What Is VAWA?

The federal government enacted the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 to address the issue of violent crimes, including domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking. The goal of VAWA is to prevent and reduce incidences of violent crime, teach authorities how to respond appropriately to victims’ needs, and educate the public on violence.

One of the benefits of VAWA is that it does not discriminate against non-United States citizens. Even people who have entered the country illegally might be eligible to obtain legal residency if they can meet the procedural requirements. With the help of a Mesa attorney, non-citizens who have experienced abuse from their sponsor may be able to self-petition under VAWA to move forward with their green card application.

Eligibility to File for Legal Residency Under VAWA

People who have suffered abuse from a family member might be able to file for lawful permanent residency without telling their abuser. Eligible applicants include the following:

• Spouses of abusive United States citizens or legal permanent residents
• Children of abusive United States citizens or legal permanent residents
• Parents of a child abused by a United States citizen or legal permanent resident, regardless of whether the parent suffered abuse themselves

An applicant whose marriage ended because of divorce or their spouse’s death can still qualify if they apply within two years of their changed circumstances. Similarly, applicants can still qualify for self-petitioning under VAWA if their abuser lost or gave up their legal permanent residency or citizenship within two years.

If someone is unsure whether they are eligible for protection under VAWA, they should speak with an experienced Mesa attorney during a confidential consultation. A trusted legal team could help determine a potential applicant’s eligibility and also help them with the complicated filing process.

Talk To a Mesa Attorney About Filing an Application Under VAWA

The United States immigration process is complicated, and it can be overwhelming to people who are unfamiliar with the system. These challenges can become all the more significant if you are trying to approach the process after being subjected to violence or abuse from your immigration sponsor. If these circumstances sound similar to yours, speak with a legal professional about the possibility of self-petitioning under VAWA.

A dedicated attorney could answer any of your questions, take away some of the uncertainties, and keep you up to date with status updates throughout the application process. Our legal team could stand by your side and help you at each stage of the application process to make sure that you correctly complete the necessary documents.

Call Solano Law Firm to meet with an attorney about VAWA applications in Mesa. Consultations are entirely confidential.