Austin VAWA Attorneys

Providing Board-Certified Legal Help for Battered Immigrants in Texas

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protection mainly for battered immigrant women, children, and parents residing in the U.S. However, many do not know that abused men may also qualify. If you have been subjected to abuse and your abuser is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be able to obtain protection by filing a petition called an I-360.

For assistance in submitting your application and the evidence needed to substantiate your case, you can rely on our Austin VAWA lawyers at J. Sparks Law, PLLC. With extensive experience practicing immigration law in Texas, our attorneys have a deep understanding of how to handle all aspects of the application process.

Understanding VAWA

Under VAWA, victims of domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse have the legal right to self-petition for lawful permanent residency without the knowledge or cooperation of their abuser. Done in secret, it protects the abused individual from any mistreatment or suppression and provides an escape from the violent relationship. VAWA protection is available to the spouses, ex-spouses, children, and parents of the abuser.

Qualifications for VAWA protection and benefits include:

• The abuser is a U.S. citizen or green card holder
• You were or are the spouse, child, or parent of the abuser
• You can demonstrate that you have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by the abuser
• As a spouse, you entered the marriage in good faith (you did not commit marriage fraud simply to obtain a green card)
• You live with or have lived with the abuser
• You are a person of good moral character

Trusted & Caring Legal Support

Once your VAWA petition is approved, you can seek work authorization, you will have protection from deportation, and you will be able to apply for a green card that will give you freedom from the abuser. Those who have been married to U.S. citizens may submit their green card applications at the same time with their VAWA petition. Those who are already divorced must file their VAWA petition within two years of the date of their divorce.

At J. Sparks Law, PLLC, we have helped people throughout Texas achieve this type of independence through VAWA permanent residency. We truly care for our clients and will work diligently on your behalf from start to finish. Seek help from a board-certified immigration attorney in Texas