The Violence Against Women Act allows abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to petition for immigration status on their own — without the abuser's knowledge, sponsorship, or consent. Despite the name, VAWA protects survivors of any gender. For a survivor whose immigration status has been used as a weapon of control, the self-petition removes the weapon. Audu Law Firm handles these cases with the discretion they demand.
How a VAWA Self-Petition Works
A self-petitioner must establish the qualifying relationship to the citizen or resident abuser, battery or extreme cruelty during the relationship, good faith in a marriage-based case, shared residence, and good moral character. Extreme cruelty includes patterns of psychological, financial, and immigration-related abuse — control does not have to leave bruises to qualify. Evidence is assembled from what survivors actually have: declarations, medical and counseling records, police reports where they exist, messages, and witness statements. A police report is not required; a coherent, corroborated account is.
Confidentiality Is Built Into the Law
Federal law prohibits USCIS from relying on information provided by the abuser and shields the existence of the petition from disclosure. The abuser is not notified, does not participate, and cannot veto the case. An approved self-petition opens the path to work authorization and permanent residence — status that belongs to the survivor alone.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Consultations are conducted by Zoom and handled confidentially — immigration law is federal, and we represent self-petitioners nationwide.
Status that cannot be used against you. That is the point.
832-780-9005 | Audu Law Firm, PLLC
This content is for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.