VAWA: Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence

Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed by Congress in 1994, spouses and children of abusive United State Citizens (USC) or Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) may obtain lawful permanent residency through the VAWA Self-Petition Process. The immigration provisions under VAWA allow qualifying immigrant survivors of domestic violence to file for immigration relief without their abuser’s assistance or knowledge. Approved self-petitioners have greater safeguards against deportation, qualify for employment authorization, may qualify for certain governmental benefits, and may qualify for Legal Permanent Residence.

Get the TCRP VAWA Flyer with Contacts and Testimonials
in Color (pdf format 1.2 mb) / or Black and White (pdf 1 mb)

Who we serve: Our project focuses on immigrant survivors of domestic violence living in Texas’ rural areas. If we accept your case, we will provide free services, submit proper forms to Immigration, apply for your work authorization document, and submit your legal permanent resident application. We can do the same for your undocumented children if they are unmarried and under 21.

Get the Map and the TCRP VAWA Talking Points Flyer
(pdf format 1.2 mb)

To read more details about VAWA, click here.

To learn more about the VAWA intake process, click here.

For other immigration relief, i.e., VISAs, click here.

To read recent news stories about TCRP’s VAWA Program, click here.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence, call or refer them to the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.

Credit: We would like to thank Development Intern Esin Saribudak for artistic contributions to the 2011 VAWA brochures.