Naturalization based on VAWA Approval for Philippines National

We recently received a naturalization (citizenship) approval for a Filapina who received her green card under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provisions. Congratulations to our client!

I have been representing her since 2018 when she initially applied for VAWA. She was in an abusive marriage to a US citizen and had a spousal green card application pending. Because of the abuse, she had to leave her husband and we converted the I-130 spousal petition into an I-360 VAWA petition. Her lawful permanent residence based on VAWA was approved in 2021. When someone obtains a green card through VAWA based upon abuse from a US citizen, they are eligible to apply for citizenship after 3 years rather than 5 years (similar to how spouses of US citizens can apply after 3 years).

VAWA does not require physical abuse or a police report to be approvable. A VAWA petition can be approved upon a showing of extreme cruelty, which are actions taken by the US citizen or Lawful Permanent Residence spouse to exert control over the noncitizen. I have many years of experience representing individuals in family based immigration, including cases involving intimate partner violence and we pursued either VAWA or U visa relief. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a comprehensive consultation at amir@rasoulpourlaw.com.