Individuals, who have experienced domestic violence or abuse at the hands of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member, may be eligible for a green card. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), eligible spouses, children, and parents can self-petition. This pathway empowers victims to seek legal status and protection in the United States without relying on their abuser's sponsorship.

Eligibility for VAWA Self-Petition:

• Spouse: An individual may file a VAWA self-petition if they have been or were the abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, they can file as an abused spouse if their child has suffered abuse by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse.
• Parent: Parents who have been abused by their U.S. citizen son or daughter can file a self-petition.
• Child: Abused children under 21, unmarried, and subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent, are eligible. Children over 21 but under 25 may also qualify if the abuse delayed their filing.

Requirements for VAWA Self-Petition:
Qualifying Relationship:

• Demonstrating a relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident abuser.

Battery or Extreme Cruelty:

• Providing evidence of abuse, including physical violence or severe emotional and psychological harm.

Residence with Abuser:

• Showing that the victim has lived or currently lives with the abusive family member.

Good Moral Character:

• Establishing that the applicant has maintained good moral character.

Filing a VAWA Self-Petition:
To initiate the VAWA self-petition process, applicants must submit:

• Form I-360: The Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, which is free of charge for VAWA self-petitioners.
• Supporting Evidence: Documentation that substantiates the eligibility criteria, including proof of relationship, evidence of abuse, and residence with the abuser.

Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to guiding individuals through the VAWA self-petition process with compassion and expertise. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and provide comprehensive legal support to ensure victims of domestic violence achieve safety, security, and legal status in the United States. For personalized assistance with your VAWA self-petition, contact our firm today.

The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is designated for individuals who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of being victims of certain qualifying criminal activities and who assisted law enforcement or government officials in investigating or prosecuting these crimes.

Eligibility criteria for a U visa include:

• Victim of qualifying criminal activity.
• Suffered substantial physical or mental abuse due to the criminal activity.
• Possesses information about the crime or is willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution.
• Crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.
• Admissible to the United States, or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility.

Application Process: 

• Applicants must submit Form I-918
• Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification signed by an authorized law enforcement official. This certification verifies the applicant's helpfulness or potential helpfulness in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
• Evidence to establish each eligibility requirement.
• If the applicant is inadmissible, they must also file Form I-192 to request a waiver.

Green Card:
To be eligible for a Green Card based on U-1 nonimmigrant status, applicants must meet specific criteria, which include:

• Currently holding U-1 nonimmigrant status at the time of filing Form I-485.
• Having been physically present in the United States continuously for at least three years while in U nonimmigrant status.
• Not unreasonably refusing to assist law enforcement since receiving the U visa.
• Not being inadmissible to the United States under immigration law.
• Demonstrating that a favorable exercise of discretion is warranted based on the individual circumstances of the case.

Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to guiding individuals through the U-visa process with compassion and expertise. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and provide comprehensive legal support to ensure victims of crimes achieve safety, security, and legal status in the United States. For personalized assistance with your U-visa, contact our firm today.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program allowing eligible nationals from designated countries experiencing extreme conditions, such as armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances, to live and work legally in the United States for a specified period. TPS does not provide a pathway to permanent residence, but it offers crucial protection and refuge for those in urgent need.

TPS protects individuals from deportation, grants employment authorization (via an Employment Authorization Document), and permits travel abroad in certain circumstances (through the Application for Travel Document, Form I-131).

Eligibility for TPS is based on specific criteria:

• Nationality: Must be a national of a country designated for TPS or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country.
• Registration: Must file during the open initial registration or re-registration period, or meet the requirements for late initial filing during any extension of the country’s TPS designation.
• Continuous Physical Presence (CPP): Must have been continuously physically present in the United States since the effective date of the most recent designation date of the country.
• Continuous Residence (CR): Must have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified for the country.

To determine if you qualify for TPS, contact our firm today. Our experienced immigration attorneys are ready to help you navigate the application process and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is used by non-U.S. citizens to request permission to work in the United States. This form is essential for those seeking to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which serves as proof of the legal right to work.

To be eligible for filing Form I-765, applicants must:

• Fall within a category eligible for employment authorization
• Provide supporting documentation proving their eligibility
• Submit the application in accordance with the specific instructions for their category

For assistance with Form I-765, contact our firm. Our experienced immigration attorneys can guide you through the process, ensuring compliance and increasing your chances of securing work authorization.

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is used by non-U.S. citizens to apply for various types of travel documents:

• Advance Parole: Enables individuals with pending immigration status to travel abroad and return without jeopardizing their application.
• Refugee Travel Document: Issued to refugees or asylees who need to travel outside the United States and return to the U.S. without losing their refugee or asylee status.
• Re-entry Permit: Allows lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to re-enter the United States after travel abroad for extended periods, preserving their resident status.
• Parole in Place: Granted to certain applicants, commonly to family members of U.S. military personnel, allowing them to remain in the United States and apply for adjustment of status.
• Humanitarian Parole: Granted to individuals who need to enter the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons.

For guidance on Form I-131, contact our firm. Our knowledgeable immigration attorneys can help you navigate the process and ensure your travel document application is correctly filed and processed.

Form I-90 is used by lawful permanent residents to apply for a replacement green card. This form ensures that permanent residents have a valid green card reflecting their current status and information.

Permanent residents may file Form I-90 for the following reasons:

• Green card is expiring or has expired
• Green card has been lost, stolen, or damaged
• Change in personal information
• Green card contains incorrect information due to USCIS error
• Automatic conversion from a prior status
• Green card was issued but never received

Application Process:
To file Form I-90, applicants must:

• Complete and submit the Form I-90 application
• Provide supporting documents
• Pay the required filing fee or request a fee waiver
• Attend a biometrics appointment if required

For assistance with filing Form I-90, contact our firm. Our experienced immigration attorneys can help ensure your green card is up-to-date and accurate.

Certain nonimmigrants can apply for an extension of their stay in the United States or to change to a different nonimmigrant status. Nonimmigrants need to file Form I-539 to maintain lawful status and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

To be eligible for filing Form I-539, applicants must:

• Be in a valid nonimmigrant status at the time of filing
• Meet the specific eligibility requirements for the requested extension or change of status
• Submit the application before their current status expires

For assistance with Form I-539, contact our firm. Our experienced immigration attorneys can guide you through the process to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws and maintenance of your lawful status.