There is a special defense that may protect you from deportation if you are a victim of domestic violence. A VAWA cancellation of removal protects victims of abuse who have a US citizen or legal permanent resident spouse or parent. To apply for a VAWA cancellation of removal, you have to actually be in removal proceedings--in other words, actually have hearings in immigration court and facing the threat of deportation.
To be qualified for VAWA cancellation of removal, you must be one of the following:
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The abused spouse of a US citizen or legal permanent resident
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The abused son or daughter of a US citizen or legal permanent resident
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The parent of an abused child of a US citizen or legal permanent resident
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The abused intended spouse of a US citizen or legal permanent resident
A VAWA applicant must:
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Have been living in the US for the past three years
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Not have been convicted of an aggravated felony
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Not have been guilty of certain criminal or marriage fraud violations
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Demonstrate that deportation would be an extreme hardship for the applicant, the applicant's child, or the applicant's parents
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Have good moral character
"Extreme hardship" may be:
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The abuser's ability to follow the victim if she returns to the home country
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A need for medical supplies and expertise absent in the home country
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A need for access to US courts for purposes of things like child support
A VAWA applicant does not need to be married to his or her abusive spouse until the Form I-360 is approved. It's acceptable to be unmarried if:
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You believed you were legally married, but the marriage was invalid because of your spouse's bigamy
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Your abusive spouse died not more than two years before you filed the petition
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Your marriage to the abusive spouse ended not more than two years prior to filing the petition, and the marriage was terminated because of the abuse