Introduction
Imagine you are a prisoner being tortured, or threatened, and you are not allowed to leave. This is how immigrant women, who are being battered by their husbands, can find safety in a free country, such as the United States, thanks to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
For over a decade, the foreign national victims of extreme misdemeanor and felony crimes of domestic violence have been able to apply for lawful permanent residency, “green cards”, while they are in the United States, without the involvement of the abuser.
However, the recent amendments to VAWA, while greatly increasing the number of foreign national victims of domestic violence who are eligible for relief, have, in the process, created such uncertainty with respect to the criteria for application, and the rights of those who apply, that many foreign nationals, who are being abused by their spouses, are finding it difficult to understand how they can rely on VAWA to protect them, in their time of need.
In this paper, we shall first briefly set out the historical and current significance of VAWA for the rights of immigrants, who are the victims of domestic violence. Then we shall define and explain, in some detail, the unique problems which the foreign national, survivors of domestic violence, are facing.
Define VAWA: Understanding the Violence Against Women Act
At a time when a growing number of immigrant victims of domestic violence are realizing that they have been living in isolation and are thus unable to seek help for their abuse, the fact that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was created in 1994 to protect the victims of violence, including foreign nationals who are being abused by their spouses while in the US or after returning to their native country, from further harm is reassuring. Importantly, these foreign nationals of U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses can now apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) in self-petitions (i.e., without the help or involvement of their abusers) and, in addition, are entitled to seek relief from deportation (i.e., deportation) without the help of their abusers.
VAWA has been an extremely effective tool to help protect the victims of violence. Many of these are noncitizens who have been subjected to abuse by their spouses while they were residing in the US, or even after they have returned to their native countries. Under VAWA legislation, there are several protections afforded to the victims of violence. These include the most notable is the opportunity for self-petitioning for lawful permanent residency (a green card) for the victims of violence. As VAWA has been in existence for 30 years now, since its passage in 1994, the number of self-petitions has increased dramatically - by a whopping 360% - in the period from 2020 to 2024. Alas, recently introduced USCIS policy with respect to VAWA-related issues has caused tremendous fear and anxiety in the lives of many victims of violence. Most recently, for example, abused immigrant Vasquez discovered hope in VAWA, only to soon encounter roadblocks in her attempts to seek and obtain necessary protection under the VAWA legislation.
The Vasquez Law Firm is also celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In future blog posts, we will be discussing possible updates to VAWA and ways in which it could be further enhanced in order to better assist and serve all survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence, including immigrant women and girls, in need of assistance and resources in order to leave their abusers and begin anew. The elimination of fees for applications under VAWA has been especially helpful in allowing survivors of domestic violence of all backgrounds to seek and obtain relief from abuse without added financial burden of legal fees.
At Vasquez Law Firm, we continue to advocate for all survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence, including foreign nationals who are being abused by their spouses while they are in the US or who are being abused after they return to their native countries. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has proven to be a successful tool for the protection of the victims of violence. Recently, USCIS’s changes in VAWA-related policy are causing fear and anxiety in the lives of many victims of violence. Vasquez Law Firm is currently attempting to assist these victims of domestic abuse in obtaining the necessary protections afforded to them under VAWA, while at the same time assisting them in understanding how VAWA can better be of assistance to them. For example, USCIS recently announced that VAWA is scheduled to be revised in 2026. Vasquez Law Firm will work to understand the proposed changes to VAWA and how these changes are intended to assist VAWA-qualifying survivors of domestic abuse in obtaining the same protections and assistance that they are currently able to obtain under VAWA as it currently exists. Therefore, our goal at Vasquez Law Firm is to continue to help all current and future VAWA-qualifying immigrant survivors of domestic abuse by trying to understand what “Vawa” means and how we at Vasquez Law Firm can continue to be of assistance to them. Vasquez Law Firm provides VAWA assistance without charging any up-front fees for the assistance that we provide. Therefore, what this means for VAWA-qualifying immigrant survivors of domestic abuse is that they can receive immediate help from an experienced immigration attorney (24/7) for both immigration and criminal matters, including when the immediate assistance that is required when there is an emergency involving immigration enforcement or a criminal charge.
Context and History: The Evolution of VAWA
It is reported that domestic abuse is happening in families all across the country and has been a problem for years. When then-Senator Joe Biden wrote the Act to Combat Abuse Against Women in the early 1990s, he recognized for the first time that domestic violence and sexual assault were federal crimes and that the whole community needed to respond to them.
VAWA has been reauthorized and amended four times since its initial enactment in 1994 - in 2000, 2005, 2013, and 2022. Each reauthorization and amendment of VAWA has the goal of increasing the scope of and the protection afforded to victims of abuse as well as to those assisting them, and the 2022 reauthorization of VAWA was the most recent and included over $500 million to support the needs of survivors of abuse.
Domestic Abuse is declining at a rate of 67% in relation to other forms of abuse, and a 56% decline in rapes and other sexual assaults since 1993 when first enacting VAWA. Many families are now getting help that they would never have gotten otherwise. Up to 40% of women who are victims of abuse never contact the police in any case. A large proportion of these women are likely to be immigrant women, and the help provided by the resources and funding made available by VAWA to women in these circumstances is therefore likely to be of very great value to them.
Looking at a few historical case studies on how VAWA has come to evolve over the years shows us how this legislation has contributed to changing people’s ways of thinking and perceiving about the nature of domestic abuse and the consequent legal protection that there is to help change the culture so that those affected by gender-based abuse can seek help for abuse that used to be seen as a private matter and is now a public concern, thanks to VAWA.
Every voice in the fight against Domestic Abuse needs to be heard. We must redouble our efforts to serve all survivors, including those who are immigrants and continue to fight for them until the end of Domestic Abuse.
Key Features of VAWA: Eligibility and Types of Abuse
The Act for Protecting Women helps women who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. If you have a relationship with your abuser and have been the victim of physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, or economic abuse, then you may qualify for protections under the Violence Against Women Act, or in Spanish, que significa VAWA. The Act for Protecting Women recognizes four types of mistreatment of women.
Many domestic violence victims are able to seek help while still trying to safely leave their abusive partner(s) and/or gain legal status in the country where they reside while seeking help under VAWA. This can be done without the knowledge or consent of the abuser.
Many foreign-born individuals are being victimized by their intimate partners and do not have the resources to seek help. There are large numbers of individuals from foreign countries who have been lifetime victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Specifically, 13.9% to 93% of foreign-born women have been victims of IPV sometime during their lifetime. Within the last year, 46.9% of foreign-born women who reside in the United States have been victims of IPV.
There was recently a case of an immigrant woman who sought help through VAWA after a good faith marriage had turned abusive. Her husband was emotionally abusing her, but she testified that she had been a good wife and had given her husband her best. Unfortunately, the immigrant woman’s request for residency was denied. Her husband had agreed to the immigrant woman’s request for residency, and she had given testimony and proof of her good faith marriage to her husband.
However, in order to be granted relief under the Act for Protecting Women or VAWA, applicants must gather and present certain pieces of evidence and information. First, evidence of the relationship between the applicant and the abuser(s) must be presented. Next, proof that the applicant was a victim of physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, or economic abuse must be shown. Lastly, evidence that the applicant and the abuser(s) lived together at some point must be established. Vasquez Law Firm can assist in organizing and presenting all of the required evidence and completing the necessary paperwork to seek relief under the Act for Protecting Women. First, we assist our clients in completing Form I-360 to begin the VAWA self-petition process.
The dedicated team of immigration lawyers at Vasquez Law Firm are here to support you 24/7. Our team is able to support and represent clients of all backgrounds including those who primarily speak English as a second language. Vasquez Law Firm offers free initial consultations conducted in English and Spanish and has office locations throughout North Carolina and Florida.
Real-Life Implications: How VAWA Affects Immigrants
An increasing number of foreign nationals are affected by domestic violence. Thus the foreign national survivor of domestic violence needs to know about the consequences of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) or what que significa vawa. In summary, VAWA has created paths of safety and legal status for survivors of domestic violence.
For foreign-born survivors of domestic violence, there are several reasons why they are reluctant to seek help. For example, they are afraid of being asked questions about their immigration status, and they lack necessary legal assistance. As a result, foreign nationals affected by domestic violence are further at risk.
Legislation such as VAWA has alleviated the concerns of the foreign national survivor of domestic violence by providing her with confidentiality and the assurance that she can seek help without fear of deportation. Thus the foreign national survivor of domestic violence can fight for her life and against her abuser(s) through VAWA or what que significa vawa.
In May 2026, a federal court finally decided three new categories of VAWA applicants, thus continuing to support and recognize the many individuals and families affected by domestic violence. However, thousands of individuals are waiting for the processing of their U visas, which can take up to five years or more to process.
In the meantime, these individuals need alternative effective and expeditious pathways to attain legal status in the US in order to achieve safety and security.
We are Hispanic and we support the immigrant families from North Carolina. We offer the most effective and highest quality of advocacy and legal assistance to the families from North Carolina, in particular to the families from the Hispanic and Latino communities. We are able to assist the families from aforementioned communities with their legal matters, thus providing them with the necessary legal assistance and support while we simultaneously address and overcome any existing language barriers.
Therefore, we are able to represent the immigrant families from North Carolina in matters related to immigration and in criminal defense, 24/7, including after regular business hours, and during emergencies and other urgent situations, in order to achieve the best possible and most effective results for our clients. We continue to fight for justice and for the safety and well-being of our clients.
Conclusion
Support foreign nationals who are trapped in situations of domestic violence and help them escape from such situations and find safety. Most of the victims of domestic violence who are immigrants are stuck in situations of abuse and are unable to leave their situations for fear of being left with no options. However, in order to help the foreign nationals who are the victims of domestic violence, VAWA or the Violence Against Women Act was created. Foreign national victims of domestic violence are able to escape from such situations of abuse and find safety with the help of VAWA. For example, under VAWA, foreign national victims of abuse in situations of domestic violence can self-petition for lawful permanent residency (the “green card”) without having to involve their abusers.
Significant improvements to VAWA have been made through the various reauthorizations of the legislation, including enhancements to the protections afforded to the victims of domestic violence in situations of abuse. Importantly, there have been significant increases in the number of self-petitions filed under VAWA by foreign nationals who are victims of abuse in situations of domestic violence. Notably, there has been a 360% increase in self-petitions under VAWA by foreign nationals who are victims of abuse in situations of domestic violence from 2020 to 2024. Moreover, VAWA has removed the application fee that had previously been required of applicants for relief under VAWA. The Vasquez Law Firm advocates for the protection and help afforded to the victims of such abuse by VAWA. We are here 24/7 to assist in processing the necessary applications for relief under VAWA for the greatest number of such victims of abuse. Importantly, we provide free initial consultations to all of the foreign nationals who are the victims of such abuse, including those who may be handicapped by language barriers.
Advocating for individuals affected by domestic violence and also having access to top-notch attorneys in the VAWA-specific practice area is crucial to continued efforts to protect and assist affected individuals and groups. And together, with each step of the way, we will stop domestic abuse and bring an end to the silent suffering and horror that it causes to individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law established in 1994 to protect victims of violence, including foreign nationals abused by their spouses in the U.S. or after returning to their home countries.
Who can benefit from VAWA?
Foreign nationals who are spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents can benefit from VAWA, allowing them to apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) through self-petitions without the involvement of their abusers.
How has the use of VAWA changed over time?
Since its passage, the number of self-petitions under VAWA has increased significantly, with a 360% rise from 2020 to 2024, indicating its effectiveness in helping victims of violence.
What recent challenges have victims faced regarding VAWA?
Recent changes in USCIS policy related to VAWA have caused fear and anxiety among victims, creating roadblocks for those seeking protection under the law.
What support does Vasquez Law Firm provide for VAWA cases?
Vasquez Law Firm advocates for survivors of domestic violence, offering assistance with VAWA applications without charging upfront fees, and providing 24/7 support for urgent legal matters.
Are there any financial burdens associated with applying for VAWA?
The elimination of application fees under VAWA has helped survivors seek relief from abuse without the added financial burden of legal fees.
What future changes to VAWA are anticipated?
VAWA is scheduled to be revised in 2026, and Vasquez Law Firm is committed to understanding these proposed changes to continue assisting VAWA-qualifying survivors effectively.
How can victims of domestic violence access help from Vasquez Law Firm?
Victims can receive immediate assistance from experienced immigration attorneys at Vasquez Law Firm, who are available 24/7 for both immigration and criminal matters, including emergencies.
List of Sources
- Define VAWA: Understanding the Violence Against Women Act
- Policy Updates — Alliance For Immigrant Survivors (https://immigrantsurvivors.org/policy-updates)
- US Court Rules to Protect Immigrant Domestic Violence Survivors (https://hrw.org/news/2026/05/27/us-court-rules-to-protect-immigrant-domestic-violence-survivors)
- USCIS tightens language around green card path for abuse victims (https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/uscis-changes-violence-against-women-act-self-petition)
- USCIS Restores Integrity to the VAWA Domestic Abuse Program After Finding Rampant Fraud | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-restores-integrity-to-the-vawa-domestic-abuse-program-after-finding-rampant-fraud)
- New immigration rules require evidence many abuse survivors can't access (https://19thnews.org/2026/07/domestic-violence-immigration-legal-protection)
- Context and History: The Evolution of VAWA
- What to know about the Violence Against Women Act as the landmark law turns 30 (https://pbs.org/newshour/amp/politics/what-to-know-about-the-violence-against-women-act-as-the-landmark-law-turns-30)
- Domestic Violence - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891)
- The Reauthorization of VAWA Was Necessary and Contains Historic Gains But Falls Short for Immigrant Survivors of Violence - Tahirih Justice Center (https://tahirih.org/news/the-reauthorization-of-vawa-was-necessary-and-contains-historic-gains-but-falls-short-for-immigrant-survivors-of-violence)
- Domestic Violence Statistics (https://thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics)
- Congress Debates Reauthorization of Expired Violence Against Women Act (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/congress-reauthorize-violence-women-act)
- Key Features of VAWA: Eligibility and Types of Abuse
- New immigration rules require evidence many abuse survivors can't access (https://19thnews.org/2026/07/domestic-violence-immigration-legal-protection)
- VAWA Immigration: Eligibility and How to Apply in 2026 (https://manifestlaw.com/blog/vawa-immigration)
- Intimate Partner Violence and Immigration in the United States: A Systematic Review - PMC (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10666473)
- USCIS Restores Integrity to the VAWA Domestic Abuse Program After Finding Rampant Fraud | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-restores-integrity-to-the-vawa-domestic-abuse-program-after-finding-rampant-fraud)
- VAWA for Abuse Victims (https://womenslaw.org/laws/federal/immigration/vawa-abuse-victims)
- Real-Life Implications: How VAWA Affects Immigrants
- USCIS tightens language around green card path for abuse victims (https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/uscis-changes-violence-against-women-act-self-petition)
- New immigration rules require evidence many abuse survivors can't access (https://19thnews.org/2026/07/domestic-violence-immigration-legal-protection)
- ICE Crackdown Heightens Barriers for Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims - KFF Health News (https://kffhealthnews.org/public-health/ice-immigrants-victims-domestic-violence)
- Policy Updates — Alliance For Immigrant Survivors (https://immigrantsurvivors.org/policy-updates)
