VAWA 101 and Inadmissibility Issues (September 2010)
Download
Report
Transcript VAWA 101 and Inadmissibility Issues (September 2010)
VAWA 101 AND INADMISSIBILITY ISSUES
To review basic requirements for self
petitioning under VAWA
To introduce participants to the basics of
adjustment of status
THE KEY TO YOUR CLIENT’S CASE
[email protected]
Definition of Domestic Violence
Pattern of continuous abusive behaviors
Physical
Psychological
Emotional
Verbal
Used by one person to exercise power and
control over another person
[email protected]
Emotional Abuse
Economic Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Coercion & Threats
Using Children
Intimidation
Isolation
Using Citizenship or
Residency Privilege
Minimizing, Denying
& Blaming
[email protected]
“being the victim of any act of a threatened
act of violence, including any forceful
detention, which results or threatens to
result in physical or mental injury.
Psychological or sexual abuse or
exploitation, including rape, molestation
incest (if the victim is a minor) or forced
prostitution shall be considered acts of
violence. Other abusive actions may also be
acts of violence under this rule. Acts or
threatened acts that, in and of themselves,
may not initially appear violent may be part
of an overall pattern of violence”
[email protected]
[email protected]
Applications filed with DHS
VAWA self petition
Battered spouse waivers
U visa
T visa
Defenses before immigration judge
Cancellation of Removal under VAWA
Asylum/Gender Asylum
[email protected]
Section 384 of The Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)
In no case may any CIS employee
“permit use by or disclosure to
anyone…of any information which
relates to an alien who is the
beneficiary of an application for relief”
under the VAWA provisions.
Violations are grounds for
disciplinary action and/or
fine
[email protected]
A pre-VAWA attempt to help
battered immigrants
The battered spouse waiver
allows the removing conditions
on residency without:
◦ Relying on the batterer
◦ Having to remain in abusive
relationship for 2 years
[email protected]
[email protected]
Subjected to Battery or Extreme Cruelty
By a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent
Resident Spouse or Parent
◦ File within 2 years of divorce
With Whom You Resided
Good Moral Character
Good Faith Marriage
Prima Facie Determination = Public Benefits
[email protected]
Margarita, a citizen from Canada, is married
to Jacobo, a student from England. They got
married in England. Jacobo has been
physically abusing Margarita for the past
three months. She is concerned because the
abuse is escalating.
1. What is the immigration status of Margarita?
2. Does she have any remedies under VAWA?
[email protected]
Abused biological child
Abused step-children
Abused mother can include children from
other relationships in her self-petition
Termination of parental rights no effect
Under 21 years of age
NEW EXCEPTION-
◦ Over 21 under 25 if shows connection between
not filing on time and abuse
[email protected]
Proof of prior divorces of both parties
Common law marriages are valid if valid
under family laws
Bigamy by abuser will not bar filing if
Good faith intent by applicant AND
Legal ceremony
Good faith marriage
Not solely to gain immigration status
[email protected]
STANDARD
OF PROOF
ANY CREDIBLE EVIDENCE
[email protected]
Any credible evidence
Critical evidence
◦ Applicant’s declaration
◦ Corroborative evidence
◦ Systems documentation: Protection order,
medical records, police reports
◦ Expert declarations: shelter workers, battered
women’ advocates, persons providing mental
health treatment (not just assessment)
◦ Family court findings re: domestic violence, legal
marriage, abuser’s immigration status
[email protected]
REQUIREMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
[email protected]
QUALIFYING RELATIONSHIP
[email protected]
RESIDED TOGHETER
[email protected]
BATTERY OR EXTREME
CRUELTY
[email protected]
School Records
Police Records
Expert Testimony
Protection Orders
Civil Court Records
Medical Records
Criminal Court
Photographs &
Records
Letters
Statements from
Material Evidence
Shelter Workers and
Witness Affidavits
Other Counselors
[email protected]
ABUSER’S STATUS
USC/LPR
[email protected]
Statement in
victim’s affidavit
Copy of green card
Birth certificate
Baptismal
certificate
Copy of U.S.
passport
Naturalization
certificate
Statement from
consular official
certifying
citizenship
State Department
form verifying
citizen birth abroad
Request USCIS
search its records
[email protected]
GOOD FAITH MARRIAGE
[email protected]
Marriage certificate
Marriage license
Evidence of wife’s prior
divorces
Wedding pictures
Vacation, holiday,
family event photos
Birth certificates for
children
Love letters
Letters to victim’s
family by spouse
Victim’s affidavit
discussion the
courtship and
marriage
Photo ID with
married name
[email protected]
Affidavits from
persons who knew
abuser and spouse
as married couple
Joint leases, bank
accounts, tax
returns
Police, medical,
court documents
about relationship
Abuser listed as
emergency contact
Insurance policies
with spouse as
beneficiary
Evidence that the
couple lived
together
[email protected]
Child’s birth
certificate
Legal legitimation
or
acknowledgement
Adoption decree
If over 21 but under
25,must show
connection with
abuse and not filing
on time.
If step child:
Parents marriage
license/certificate
Birth certificate
Marriage of natural
parent to stepparent before child
turned 18.
[email protected]
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
[email protected]
Criminal records check
◦ Every place victim lived for 6 months in past 3
years
Domestic violence convictions and
protection order violations can bar good
moral character
VAWA 2000: even if barred, may be
overcome for victims if “waivable” AND
connected to domestic violence
[email protected]
Client’s Affidavit
Supporting Documents (safety planning)
Forms I-360/G-28
Fee or Fee Waiver NO FEE
Cover Letter
Good Moral Conduct Certificate
Application is filed w/ the Vermont Service
Center
[email protected]
Notice of Prima Facie Determination
This means the applicant is a “qualified”
alien for the purpose of obtaining public
assistance.
Approval and Deferred Action
DHS has assigned a low priority to the
removal of this person from the United
States.
Employment Authorization Document
A card which grants permission to work
in the United States- 274 a 12 c 31 or 12
c 14
[email protected]
adjustment
of status in the
U.S.
VAWA self-petitioners do
not have to leave the
country
consular processing outside
of the U.S.
[email protected]
Prepare applications for adjustment of status
Creatively document arguments for
overcoming barriers to adjustment
Who can adjust here? Who must go abroad?
What are VAWA exceptions?
What’s happening in your district?
Form I-485 (one for each derivative)
Filing fee - $325 ($225? if under age 14)
◦ Fee waivers available
Form G-325 (if 14 or older)
Fingerprint fee - $70.00
◦ Fingerprint appointment scheduled by USCIS
Four photos (some USCIS offices require less)
•
•
Notice of approval of I-360 (unless filed at same
time with I-360 at VSC)
Form I-693 Medical Exam
◦ By immigration-approved civil surgeon
Copy of passport and I-94 (if any)
Evidence of financial support
Birth certificate with translation
Strategy when 130 = pending
General VAWA adjustment
U & T adjustment
What should you do about derivatives here?
Abroad?
What do you ask to ferret out problems?
What are most common problems?
Prior Removals
Unlawful presence
Fraud
Crimes
Entries and exits
Manner of entry
Encounters with DHS
Fraud
Public charge
Crimes
The ground doesn’t apply at all
◦ Elements that trigger are lacking
◦ Get the state statute and check
Or there’s an exception
◦ Crimes of Moral Turpitude
Even if it does apply, there’s a waiver
Good moral character bars
Good faith marriage concerns
Good and bad of addressing in SP
212(i) for Fraud
◦ Extreme Hardship to Self and/or
USC/LPR/Qualified Alien parent or child
212(h) for CMTs & 30 grams or less
◦ (1)(C) = qualifies as self-petitioner
212(d)(13) & (14) for Ts & Us
◦ T = national interest and connection to
victimization
◦ U = public or national interest
Form I-601
Fee - $ 545.00.
Supporting documents (SELF+RELATIVES)
◦
◦
◦
◦
212(i) – EH to self/qualifying relative
If QR, proof of relationship and
Proof of qualifying relative’s status
212(h) = VAWA approval
Discretionary factors
◦ Rehab & positive work
Adjustment
Us & Ts (termination)
VAWA Cancellation
SIJs
Asylum
In absentia
Merits
Website info:
www.asistahelp.org
Questions or technical assistance?
[email protected]
Join VAWAExperts and VAWAupdates
PRESENTADO POR:
Sonia Parras Konrad
Maria Jose Fletcher
TERMINOLOGIA
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
ALIENS/EXTRANJEROS
NO INMIGRANTES
INMIGRANTES
VISAS
“GREEN CARD”
CATEGORIAS
ESPECIALES
ASILIADO
REFUGIADO
LA PREFERENCIA
DE FAMILIA
◦ PETICIONARIO
◦ BENEFICIARIO
CIUDADANO
AMERICANO
RESIDENTE LEGAL
PERMANENTE
FECHA DE PRIORIDAD
CUIDADANO
AMERICANO
◦ ESPOSA/O
◦ HIJOS NO CASADOS
( –21)
◦ HIJOS CASADOS
(+21)
◦ PADRES (+21)
◦ HERMANOS
CIUDADANO =
PETICIONARIO
FAMILIAR= BENEFICIARIO
ESPOSA E HIJOS
◦ UN SOLO PASO
◦ AUTORIZACION DE
EMPLEO
◦ ESPERA A LA
ENTREVISTA FINAL
◦ CUIDADO! 245 (I)
RESIDENTE LEGAL
PERMANENTE
◦ ESPOSA
◦ HIJOS MENORES DE
21
◦ HIJOS MAYORES DE
21 NO CASADOS
PROCEDIMIENTO
◦ 2 PASOS
PETICION
AJUSTE DE ESTATUS
I-130, ESPERA A LA
FECHA DE PRIORIDAD
FECHA DE PRIORIDAD
VIGENTE
PERMISO DE TRABAJO
AJUSTE DE ESTATUS
1.
A.
B.
ESPOSAS,VIUDAS
(usc) O
DIVORCIADAS E
HIJOS DE:
CIUDADANOS
AMERICANOS
RESIDENTES
PERMANENTES
•
3.
4.
5.
6.
ATENCION:
FECHA LIMITE DE DOS
ANOS
CUIDADO CON LA
BIGAMIA
◦
PERSONAS DE BUEN
CARACTER MORAL
CASADAS DE BUENA
FE
ALGUNAS MUJERES
PODRAN ENVIAR SU
CASO DESDE OTROS
PAISES
SON O HAN SIDO
VICTIMAS DEL
ABUSO EN EL
HOGAR
ABUSO FISICO O
CRUELDAD EXTREMA
ESPOSAS(VIUDAS USC
EVIDENCIAS DE QUE EL
ESPOSO ES UN CIUDADANO O
Y DIVORCIADAS DE USC Y UN RESIDENTE?
LPR)
HIJOS DE:
◦ CIUDADANOS
AMERICANOS
◦ RESIDENTES
PERMANENTES.
(RELACION BAJO INA).
◦ CASADAS, EN UNION
LIBRE, DIVORCIADAS O
CIUDADANO FALLECIDO
EN LOS ULTIMOS DOS
ANOS (CUIDADO CON LA
BIGAMIA).
EVIDENCIAS?
MATRIMONIO
CONTRAIDO EN
BUENA FE
EVIDENCIAS?
PERSONA DE BUEN
CARACTER MORAL
EVIDENCIAS?
RESIDIO CON EL
ABUSADOR EN LOS
ESTADOS UNIDOS
O EN OTRO PAIS
EVIDENCIAS?
SON O HAN SIDO
VICTIMAS DEL
ABUSO EN EL
HOGAR
◦ ABUSO FISICO O
CRUELDAD
EXTREMA
EVIDENCIAS?
Immigrantes & No immigrantes
Immigracion a traves de miembros familiares
especificos
“No-ciudadanos”
Quien es indocumentado?
Ana viene a hacer una consulta sobre una
orden de proteccion. Cuando le preguntas
sobre su estatus de inmigracion, Ana te
explica que ella es una residente. Cuando ves
su tarjeta de residente las letras CR1
aparecen en el frente.
◦ Necesita Ana ayuda de inmigracion?
Acceso a beneficios publicos
Acceso a servicios legales
Acceso a servicios para personas que no
hablan Ingles con fluidez (LEP)
Vias especiales para conseguir estatus de
inmigracion
Estatus especial de inmigracion para juveniles
Perdon de la residencia condicional
Peticion propia & Cancelacion
Visas U & T
Peticion propia para padres de ciudadanos
estadounidenses abusivos
RERFERENCIA A MATERIALES
Presencia ilegal
Enfermedades contagiosas
Fraude de documentacion
Entrada ilegal
Deportaciones previas
Crimenes