How does the Violence Against Women Act help immigrant survivors?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed by Congress in 1994, includes immigration provisions that allow immigrant survivors of domestic violence, who are married to a United States citizen of lawful permanent resident, and their children, obtain lawful permanent residence without the cooperation of their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. VAWA created two primary forms of relief for battered immigrants: VAWA self-petition and VAWA cancellation of removal.
