Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides non-citizen immigrants with a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident spouse, children, or parent to file a petition to remain in the United States without the abuser’s knowledge. During the VAWA evaluation, I will assess for the psychological, physical, emotional, and financial consequences of having experienced domestic abuse. The non-citizen immigrant must provide factual information (i.e. police report) that proves the suffering of the violence and domestic abuse. VAWA also applies to male applicants.

Asylum is an application that must be completed with your lawyer within one year of arriving to the U.S. if you seek protection for yourself (including spouse and children) due to suffering or thinking you might suffer persecution in your country of origin. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the types of persecution suffered could be related to race, religion, nationality, being a member of a social group, and/or due to having a political opinion. If this application is approved, you may be allowed by the government to stay in the United States. During the asylum evaluation, I can assess the psychological, physical, and emotional effects of having suffered persecution in your country of origin.

U-Visa is a status given to victims of crime such as domestic violence, sexual assault, physical assault etc. The U-Visa goal is for the undocumented individual to work together with law enforcement and the government with the investigation process of the criminal activity. During this process, authorities protect the victim that has suffered mental, psychological or physical abuse. During the U-Visa evaluation, I will meet with you and assess the psychological, emotional, financial, and physical consequences of the crime.

Extreme Hardship waivers are given to immigrants who have remained in the United States without permission. The application for the waiver is submitted by a family member that legally resides in the United States. The process requires to be identified that the applicant would suffer if the non-citizen immigrant is admitted back to their country. During the extreme hardship evaluation, I can assess the U.S. Citizen or Resident for emotional, physical, financial, psychological, educational, and emotional hardship that can help support your immigration case.