The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) lets certain survivors of abuse petition for themselves — independently of the abusive relative — so that an abusive U.S. citizen or permanent resident can no longer use immigration status as a tool of control. Despite the name, VAWA is gender-neutral: it protects men, women, and children.
Who can self-petition
- An abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (and the spouse's children may be included).
- An abused child (unmarried, under 21) of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- An abused parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older.
- You lived with the abuser, the relationship was real, you have good moral character, and you experienced battery or extreme cruelty.
What we prepare
- Form I-360 — the self-petition, assembled with the required eligibility evidence.
- Supporting packet — your personal declaration, proof of the qualifying relationship, shared-residence evidence, and documentation of the abuse, all organized for filing.
- Form I-485 and Form I-765 — adjustment of status and work authorization when you are eligible.
- Certified translations of foreign-language records.
Confidentiality, and what we do NOT do
VAWA filings carry special confidentiality protections: the law forbids USCIS from relying on information provided by the abuser and restricts disclosure of the case. We treat every VAWA matter as confidential and never contact the abuser. VAWA is legally complex and often tied to safety concerns — Imverica is a registered Legal Document Assistant, not a law firm. We prepare documents at your direction and do not give legal advice, build your strategy, do safety planning, or guarantee any outcome. We strongly encourage working with a licensed immigration attorney or a qualified victim-services organization, and we maintain referrals.
Authority: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and its reauthorizations; INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)-(iv) and (B)(ii)-(iii) (self-petitioning relatives of U.S. citizens and LPRs); 8 C.F.R. §204.2(c)-(e); 8 U.S.C. §1367 (confidentiality). Document preparation only — not legal advice.