Page Title

Remember , remember
always that all of us ... are
descended from
immigrants and
revolutionists.

-=Franklin D. Roosevelt
before the Daughters of the
American Revolution=-

We hold these truths to be
self evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator
with certain inalianable
rights, that among these
are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
.
-=The Declaration of
Independence of the
Thirteen Colonies=-

It has pleased Almighty God
... He has largely
augmented our free
population by emancipation
and by immigration, while
he has opened to us new
sources of wealth, and has
crowned the labor of our
working-men in every
department of industry with
abundant rewards.

-=President Abraham
Lincoln's 1864 Thanksgiving
Proclamation=-

One more Quote for those
inclined:

O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures
are there here!
How beauteous mankind is!
O brave new world,
That has such people in't!

"ENGLISH IS SPOKEN
HERE" AT WANGLAW USA

Relief Under Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

SELF-PETITIONS BY ABUSED SPOUSES OF U.S. CITIZENS & OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows battered and severely abused immigrants to petition for
legal status in the United States without relying on abusive U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident spouses,
parents or children to sponsor their Adjustment of Status applications for Permanent Residency (i.e. the Green
Card). For many immigrant victims of domestic violence, battery and extreme cruelty, the U.S. citizen or
lawful permanent resident family members who would sponsor their applications will threaten to withhold legal
immigration sponsorship as a tool of abuse. Therefore, the purpose of the VAWA program is to allow victims
the opportunity to “self-petition” or independently seek legal immigration status in the U.S. directly.

Furthermore, on April 11, 2008, the USCIS issued guidance implementing the law that permits the issuance of
the Green Card to the approved VAWA self-petitioner who entered the United States without having been
inspected and admitted or paroled. The VAWA self-petitioner will not need to show that his or her
undocumented entry into the United States had a substantial connection to the domestic violence, battery or
extreme cruelty which formed the basis of the self-petition.

THE U-VISA PROGRAM

The U visa offers temporary protection to victims of crimes who step forward to assist law enforcement
investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes. The
U non-immigrant status is set aside for victims of crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse because
of the crime and who are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation of the
criminal activity.   Since October 17, 2007 regulations have allowed for adjudication of the U non-immigrant
petition for a temporary visa to remain in the United States. The U visa holder and his or her qualifying family
members who have never held U non-immigrant status are also eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence
(Green Card) after meeting certain requirements. To apply for a green card as a U-1 nonimmigrant (principal),
you must meet the following conditions:

[ ]   You have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least 3 years since
the first date of admission as a U-1 non-immigrant.
[ ]   You have not unreasonably refused to provide assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution.
[ ]   You are admissible to the United States
[ ]   You establish your presence in the United States is justified on humanitarian grounds, to ensure family
unity or is in the public interest.

THE T-VISA PROGRAM

The T non-immigrant status (also known as the T visa) was created to provide temporary immigration
protection to victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons. The U. S. Government estimates that 45-
50,000 persons, mostly women and children, are trafficked into the United States annually and are trapped in
modern-day slavery-like conditions such as forced prostitution. Therefore, the T visa program was created to
allow victims to remain in the United States for up to three years, and to assist federal authorities in the
investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases. There is also a process for T visa holders and his or
her qualifying family members to apply for permanent residence.

WANGLAW is available to assist persons wishing to file for relief under the Violence Against Women Act.