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 Domestic violence and immigration
NOTE: The following article should not be construed as providing legal advice. If you have any questions about the information set forth in this article, you should contact an attorney or domestic violence program. An abused woman does not need to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident to get a protection from abuse order. However, many immigrant or refugee women hurt by domestic violence don’t get help because they fear immigration officers. It is not just undocumented women who are scared. It affects women who do not know their legal rights. They worry that they can’t get permanent residency without their husband’s help. A federal law called the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) creates two ways for women to get residency if their husband is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S. The first option allows an abused immigrant woman to apply for her own and her children’s residency without the help of her abusive husband. He plays no role in the process. He does not have to know the petition has been filed. The law is complicated. Ask for help from a domestic violence program before going to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The second option is called “cancellation of removal.” This choice is only open when a woman is in or can be placed into deportation proceedings. If a woman is eligible for this option, the court may stop the proceedings and grant residency. If someone can’t get help under VAWA, there may be other ways to get immigration status, such as a new visa that has been created for crime victims. The laws are confusing. It is important to reach out for help. Talk to someone at a domestic If you or someone you know needs help, call: Help is available 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, and many other languages. All contact with the hotline is free and confidential. The above article was submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. |
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