Immigration
- VAWA for Abuse Victims
- Basic info and definitions
- VAWA self-petition
- What is a VAWA self-petition?
- Does a common-law marriage count as being "married" to the abuser for immigration purposes?
- Does a same-sex marriage count as being "married" to the abuser for immigration purposes?
- Who is eligible to self-petition?
- What are some additional requirements to self-petition under VAWA as the spouse of a USC or LPR?
- What are some additional requirements to self-petition under VAWA as a child of a USC or LPR?
- What are some additional requirements to self-petition under VAWA as a parent who has been abused by his/her USC son or daughter?
- Can I file for a VAWA self-petition if I am in another country?
- What happens after my lawyer files my self-petition?
- If my self-petition is approved, what can I get?
- If my self-petition is approved, when can I apply for legal permanent residence status (green card)?
- Once I have permanent residency, when can I apply for my citizenship?
- Battered spouse or child waiver
- What is a battered spouse or child waiver? How does it work?
- What is conditional permanent residence status? How do I know if I have it?
- Who is eligible for a battered spouse or child waiver?
- How does the battered spouse or child waiver process work?
- If the battered spouse or child waiver is approved, what will my immigration status be?
- VAWA cancellation of removal
- U Visa for Crime Victims
- Basic info and definitions
- What is U visa status?
- What is a principal applicant? What is a derivative?
- Is a step-child considered to be a child for U visa purposes?
- What are the grounds of inadmissibility?
- What is a waiver?
- What is the law enforcement “certification”?
- How much does it cost to apply for U visa status?
- How long does it take to get the U visa? What legal status do I have while I am waiting for my U visa?
- What happens if USCIS denies my U visa application?
- Eligibility
- Am I eligible for U visa status? What crimes could qualify me?
- What is the first step in applying for U visa status?
- Can I apply for U visa status from another country?
- In the list of eligibility requirements, what does “substantial physical or mental abuse” mean?
- Who can be considered a “victim of crime” to be eligible for U visa status?
- I am under 16 years old. What does it mean that a “next friend” can help me?
- If my U.S. citizen child is a victim of a crime, can I (the undocumented parent) qualify for a U visa?
- I think I may be eligible. Should I go to my local USCIS (Immigration) office?
- Can I apply for U visa status if I am in removal proceedings (deportation)?
- Which government officials and agencies may be able to provide the law enforcement certification that is required?
- Benefits of U visa status
- U visas and domestic violence
- Can I get U visa status even if the abuser is undocumented? What if we are not married?
- If I have been the victim of domestic violence, do I apply for VAWA or for a U visa?
- I got U visa status based on a crime committed against me by my spouse but now we have gotten back together. Can I apply for the abuser (my spouse) to get status as a derivative?
- Traveling outside of the U.S.
- U visa status for family members
- Basic info and definitions
- T Visa for Trafficking Victims
- Basic information and definitions
- What is trafficking and how does it relate to T visas?
- Will I be able to work legally with a T visa?
- Will I be deported if my T visa application is denied?
- How does USCIS determine if I am a victim of a "severe form of human trafficking"?
- What about my family? Can they get T-visa status along with mine?
- What does it mean to have “continued presence”? Is it the same as having T visa status?
- Contacting law enforcement
- Eligibility for T visa status
- Proving your case: T visa requirements
- Requirement 1: You are or have been the victim of a "severe form of trafficking"
- Requirement 2: You have cooperated with or are excused from cooperating with reasonable requests from legal authorities.
- Requirement 3: You are in the United States, a U.S. territory, American Samoa, or a port of entry of any of these because of human trafficking.
- Requirement 4: You would suffer "extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm" if removed or forced to leave.
- Applying for a T visa
- After I apply for a T-visa, what are the first documents that I will receive?
- What needs to be included in my T visa application?
- What do I need to know about the personal statement and corroboration included in my application?
- What do I need to know about the law enforcement agency (LEA) endorsement included in my application?
- What do I need to know about the other forms and requirements included in my application?
- How much does it cost to apply for a T visa? Can I get a fee waiver?
- When I apply for a T visa, can I include my family members?
- Do I need a lawyer to apply for a T visa or can I find the forms online?
- Where do I send my T visa application?
- After you have T visa status
- How long does my T visa status last and what happens when it expires?
- I have T visa status. Can I work legally in the U.S.?
- Can I travel outside the U.S. after my T visa status is approved?
- Now that I have T visa status, can I apply for permanent resident status?
- What specific federally-funded benefits are available to me?
- What steps do I need to take to get federal benefits that I am entitled to?
- Additional information and where to get help
- Basic information and definitions
- Asylum
- Basic information
- What is asylum?
- Who qualifies for asylum? Will being a victim of domestic or sexual violence qualify me?
- What does "persecution" mean? How do I prove that the government was unable or unwilling to protect me from persecution?
- Is being a woman enough to prove I am part of a "particular social group?"
- If I plan on coming into the U.S. by crossing the border, how do I ask for asylum?
- The asylum process
- Benefits of getting asylum
- Basic information
- Refugee Status