Spousal Abuse as basis of waiver of joint petition to remove condition on residence

Spousal Abuse as basis of waiver of joint petition to remove condition on residence

By Atty. Crispin Caday Lozano

If you entered into a good faith marriage but after the marriage your U.S. citizen of lawful permanent resident spouse is abusing you, then you do not have to sacrifice to get your permanent resident.  You can immediately apply for a waiver of joint filing based on the information and document that you are an abused spouse.  Your dependent children can be included in this application to remove condition on residence.

If your abusive spouse has not filed a permanent resident petition for you, you may file the petition by yourself with the proof that you are an abused spouse.  A self petitioner who married an abusive U.S. citizen may file an adjustment of status at the same time that the self petition is filed.  If the spouse of the self petitioner is a lawful permanent resident he or she will have to wait until the I-360 petition is approved and the priority date for the second preference is current.  VAWA also applies to men who are abused by their spouse.  Spousal abuse includes physical or psychological abuse.  In physical abuse the best evidence is a police report or medical report while in a psychological abuse the evidence could be an evaluation by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Question:         Who qualifies for self-petition and cancellation of removal under Violence against Women Act (VAWA)?

Answer:           The following qualify for self-petition and cancellation of removal:

  1. Abused spouse, former spouse, or intended spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  2. Abused child of U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  3. Non-abusive parent of a child who was subjected to domestic violence or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent.

Question:         When can a self petitioner file an application for work authorization?

Answer:           A self petitioner is eligible for employment authorization upon approval of the self petition or upon filing of adjustment of status whichever comes first.

Question:         What are the advantages of adjustment of status under VAWA compared to the regular adjustment of status?

Answer:           VAWA adjustment of status has the following advantages:

  1. VAWA self petitioner need not have been inspected or admitted into the U.S. This means that “Entered without Inspection” or “present without authorization” are eligible under VAWA.
  2. Having worked without authorization is not a bar to adjustment.
  3. Having overstayed a nonimmigrant visa or having violated the terms of nonimmigrant visa is not a bar to adjustment.
  4. Having been admitted as a nonimmigrant under “D” [crewmember], “C” [alien in transit without a visa], or “S” [government witness] does not disqualify self petitioner from adjustment of status. The regular adjustment of status provision does not allow them to adjust.
  5. Having been admitted under Visa Waiver program is not a bar to adjustment.
  6. Self petitioners do not have to pay the $1000 penalty if they adjust status under Sec. 245(i).

Note:   This is not a legal advice.  The Law Office of Crispin C. Lozano has successfully received approvals for many VAWA cases

News from the Philippines

As of April 24, 2016, in the latest survey from Social Weather Station, Leni Robredo overtook Bongbong Marcos as leading Vice Presidential candidate.  However the Pulse Asia survey showed Bongbong Marcos still the leading candidate.

SUCCESS STORIES

  1. On April 5, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for petition by son to a father. The son was born out of wedlock and the father’s name was not on his birth certificate.
  2. On March 8, 2016, we received an approval of immigrant visa for a former crewman with whom we filed for provisional waiver.
  3. On February 3, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS of naturalization for client who has an approved waiver of misrepresentation.
  4. On January 28, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for an I-360 self petition for abused spouse of U.S. citizen.
  5. On January 26, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for an adjustment of status for client with big age difference with the U.S. citizen spouse based on good faith marriage.
  6. On December 18, 2015, we received an approval of petition for adoption that was previously denied because client did the petition by themselves.
  7. On December 11, 2015, we received an approval of DACA for a client who was in removal proceedings.
  8. On December 4, 2015, we received an approval of adjustment of status for a client who has three different names.
  9. On November 20, 2015, we received an approval of adjustment of status for a client who was suspected of marriage by convenience.
  10. On November 4, 2015, we received an approval of immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate for the daughter of a client who was approved under VAWA.
  11. On November 3, 2015, we received an approval of immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate in Manila for a client who entered the U.S. as a seaman.
  12. On October 29, 2015, we received an approval of I-751 from the Immigration Court for a client who married a U.S. citizen but the I-751 was previously denied by USCIS.
  13. On October 27, 2015, we received an approval of adjustment of status for same sex marriage spouse beneficiary.
  14. On October 9, 2015, we received an approval of a waiver in Immigration Court for a client who entered as single but actually married.
  15. We have more success stories at our website at crispinlozanolaw.com


Toll Free 1-877-4LOZANO for free consultation or Schedule an Appointment