This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to USCIS officers regarding an amendment to the that provides eligibility for employment authorization to the beneficiary of an approved VAWA self-petition. This PM revises Adjudicators' Field Manual (AFM) Chapters 21.14 (I) and 30.13 (AFM Update AD07-16). The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides ways for battered spouses to leave their abusive spouses without jeopardizing their immigration status. For more information, please see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 7, Part B, 245(a) Adjustment. VAWA - USCIS Resources. Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on eligibility, filing, and adjudication requirements addressing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions to update practices and align USCIS policies with recent court decisions. National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project (NIWAP, pronounced new-app) American University, Washington College of Law 4300 Nebraska Avenue NW N100B · Washington, D.C. 20016 (o U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on eligibility, filing, and adjudication requirements addressing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions to update practices and align USCIS policies with recent court decisions.. USCIS is updating its interpretation of the requirement for shared residence to occur during the qualifying Typically, there are three main issues in a VAWA adjustment proceeding: • Is the VAWA self-petitioner's abuser a US Citizen (USC) or a legal permanent resident (LPR)? • Is the VAWA self-petitioner admissible? • Does the VAWA self-petitioner have derivatives? 1 INA § 245(a). 2 USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 7, Chapter 10 available at: The USCIS policy manual has now been revised to state that initial and renewal EADs may be issued with a maximum validity period of up to 2 years for asylees and refugees, noncitizens with withholding of deportation or removal, and VAWA self-petitioners. For deferred action and parolee applicants, USCIS will now issue EADs up to the end of the USCIS Policy Manual Makes Sweeping Changes to Discretion 03/19/2021 Family-Based U Visa/T Visa/VAWA DACA Asylum In 2020 and 2021, USCIS changed its interpretation of discretion in adjudication of immigration benefits in three separate releases of policy manual guidance. VAWA Cancellation BIA Unpublished Decision on Merits, Good Moral Character, Exercise of Discretion, A-M Distinguished: Matter of M-L-M-A (8/5/2014) BIA disagreed with the IJ's determination that respondent is statutorily ineligible for special rule cancellation of removal (although respondent was divorced from her abusive husband and USCIS, Feb. 10, 2022 "Through this publication, USCIS will begin to address some of the VAWA self-petition-related concerns that were raised in feedback Legal NewsRoom. Menu Menu. in stakeholder engagements. Further, this publication builds the framework for VAWA self-petitions guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual, facilitating future The Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, is a special law which allows the spouse and/or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to apply for a green card by self-petition. Through VAWA, someone can apply for their green card without the help of their abusive spouse. In this guide, I will explain what you need to know Protection and Parole, Part D, Violence Against Wo