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Immigration

Can a VAWA petition be re-opened to apply for children abroad as derivatives?

Although I am not an expert on immigration laws, I reached out to an immigration attorney to ask your question - this is her response:

“You don’t have to reopen, but you do have to do the 824 process for them abroad. This really requires an attorney who knows how to do consular processing for family-based petitions. The child has to get his/her visa before turning 21.”

Therefore, you may want to try to get an immigration lawyer who is familiar with VAWA to help you. Can you go back to the lawyer who did your VAWA petition. If not, here are links to other possible legal help: Here are links for lawyers in NV and some that are national organizations that you may want to contact to find one that specializes in VAWA:
http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_state_type.php?type_id=1521&state_code=… and
http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1047

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