CONFIDENTIAL · FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE · ANY GENDER
VAWA Self-Petition Lawyers
Your immigration status should never be something used against you.
The Violence Against Women Act lets abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents apply for legal status on their own, confidentially, and without the abuser's knowledge, permission, or involvement. Despite its name, VAWA protects survivors of any gender. As a VAWA attorney team, we help survivors self-petition safely and privately, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, across our Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and Atlanta offices.
OVERVIEW
A way to petition for yourself, safely.
For many people, immigration status runs through a family member: a citizen or permanent-resident spouse or parent files the petition. When that family member is abusive, they can hold that petition over the survivor as a threat: "I control your papers," "I can have you deported," "you have no options without me." The Violence Against Women Act was written to break that hold.
Under VAWA, an eligible survivor can file their own petition (a "self-petition") for lawful status, without the abuser signing anything, knowing anything, or being involved in any way. The abuser is not notified. The petition is confidential by law. It restores something abuse takes away: the ability to act on your own behalf. And although the statute's name refers to women, VAWA protects survivors of any gender, including men and people in same-sex marriages.
ELIGIBILITY
Who VAWA protects.
VAWA covers three groups of survivors connected to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. You do not have to be the "typical" picture of a victim to qualify: the law looks at the relationship and the abuse.
Abused spouses
A spouse (or former spouse, in some situations) of an abusive U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Children of a self-petitioning spouse may be included.
Abused children
A child who has been abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent-resident parent, subject to the law's age and timing rules.
Abused parents
A parent who has been abused by their U.S. citizen son or daughter.
"Abuse" under VAWA is not limited to physical violence. Emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, and other forms of cruelty can qualify. If you are unsure whether your situation counts, that is a question to ask us privately, not one to answer alone.
YOUR PRIVACY
The abuser is never part of this.
This is the point survivors most need to hear: your abuser does not sign your petition, is not asked to cooperate, and is not notified that you filed. VAWA self-petitions carry strong confidentiality protections in the law. The government is restricted in how it can use information from an abuser against a survivor, and the process is built so that the person you are getting away from does not control it.
You do not need the abuser's documents, income information, or consent to move forward. We help you gather what you do have safely, and we build the rest of the record around your own evidence. Everything you share with us is protected by attorney-client confidentiality on top of the law's own protections.
BUILDING THE CASE
The evidence, gathered carefully and safely.
A qualifying relationship
Proof that you were the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident: a marriage certificate, birth records, or similar documents.
The abuse
Evidence that the abuse happened. This can include your own detailed declaration, along with things like police or medical records, photographs, messages, or statements from people who know your situation. A survivor's own credible account carries real weight.
Good moral character
VAWA asks that the self-petitioner be a person of good moral character, generally shown through records and declarations.
Shared residence and, for spouses, a good-faith marriage
That you lived with the abuser, and, for spousal cases, that the marriage was real, not entered for immigration purposes.
We assemble this record in the language you are most comfortable in, and we do it in a way that keeps you safe while the case is prepared.
WHAT VAWA LEADS TO
From a self-petition to standing on your own.
An approved VAWA self-petition can open the door to a work permit, which for many survivors is the first real taste of independence: the ability to earn a living that no one else controls.
VAWA is also a path to permanent residency. Depending on whether the abuser was a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, and on visa availability, an approved self-petitioner can move toward a green card, in many cases while remaining in the United States. We stay with you from the self-petition through the green-card step, so the process leads somewhere lasting.
WHY DELGADO PURDY LAW
Discreet, experienced, and entirely on your side.
VAWA cases are built on trust as much as on evidence. You need an attorney you can tell the truth to, in your own language, without judgment, and one who knows how to handle sensitive filings safely. Our two founding attorneys are senior counsel on every case, and this firm handles both humanitarian relief and, where needed, deportation defense, so you are covered even if an immigration court case is part of your situation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions survivors ask about VAWA.
It is a way for an abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to apply for legal status on their own, without the abuser's knowledge, consent, or involvement. It was created by the Violence Against Women Act to make sure abusers cannot use immigration status as a weapon.
Yes. Despite the name, VAWA protects survivors of any gender. Men, women, and people in same-sex marriages can all self-petition if they meet the requirements. The law's title reflects its history, not its limits.
VAWA self-petitions carry strong confidentiality protections. Your abuser does not sign the petition, is not asked to participate, and is not notified that you filed. The law also restricts how information from an abuser can be used against a survivor. Protecting your privacy is central to how these cases are handled.
No. You do not need the abuser's papers, income information, or permission. We help you gather the evidence you can safely obtain and build the case around your own records and your own account. A survivor's credible declaration is important evidence in a VAWA case.
No. VAWA recognizes that abuse takes many forms. Emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, threats, and other cruelty can qualify, not only physical violence. If you are unsure whether what you experienced counts, that is exactly what a private consultation is for.
For many survivors, yes. An approved self-petition can lead to lawful permanent residence, and often you can pursue it without leaving the United States. The exact steps and timing depend on whether the abuser is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. We guide you from the self-petition through the green-card stage.
An approved VAWA self-petition can open eligibility for a work permit, and in some situations employment authorization becomes available during the process. Being able to work legally is often the first step toward true independence, and we handle that piece alongside the petition.
Possibly. In certain situations, a former spouse can still self-petition, depending on how and when the marriage ended and the timing rules that apply. Do not assume you have lost the option. Bring the details and we will tell you where you stand.
Yes. Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client confidentiality. We understand that many survivors are reaching out while still in a dangerous situation, and we handle every conversation with that in mind. You can speak with us in the language you trust most.
It depends on your circumstances. We give you a real number after understanding your situation, and the consultation fee is credited to your case if you retain us. Some survivors also qualify for reduced government filing fees or fee waivers, which we assess with you.
YOU CAN TAKE THIS STEP PRIVATELY
Let's talk, safely and in confidence.
Schedule a consultation with us. We will listen in your language, explain whether you can self-petition, and tell you exactly how the process protects your privacy, with the real timeline and cost before you commit to anything.