Starting VAWA process in 2012..help and suggestions!

[Bananita 1]

I didn't know about vawa until recently 4 months ago. I was in abusive marriage to a USC for 4 1/2 years. I left when he pointed a knife to my face and neck. I feared for my life and my sons. I have a 6 year old Autistic little boy. I'm still married to my ex, I just don't have the money to get divorced. Since we left him, our lives met different kind of obstacles. it has been very difficult. During the marriage, I wasn't aware of shelters, hotlines etc. I feared for my sons well being and wanted to have a roof over his head. My husband threaten to deport me. He destroyed mt belongings. Placed weed in my handbag. He nbeat me, slapped me and tried to break my fingers constantly. I don't have police reports. For a while my son and I were on a waiting list. The waiting list is for a great organization recommended to my by my sons therapist. Its a center for battered women and their children. Now after waiting for so long, my son and I are finally going to a family therapist for counseling. And I'm going to a pep class for past and currently abused women. I spoke to an attorney for free and he told me about the personal statement. Even though I don't have an attorney yet, I'm already done woth my statement which is 21 pages long. I only had one witness my cousin, she's already starting her witness statement. I'm doing the work from what I have read online and free advice from lawyers. I know I need police clearance, plus statements of my good moral character. What else do I need? Suggestions?

[ladyg 10]

I didn't know about vawa until recently 4 months ago. I was in abusive marriage to a USC for 4 1/2 years. I left when he pointed a knife to my face and neck. I feared for my life and my sons. I have a 6 year old Autistic little boy. I'm still married to my ex, I just don't have the money to get divorced. Since we left him, our lives met different kind of obstacles. it has been very difficult. During the marriage, I wasn't aware of shelters, hotlines etc. I feared for my sons well being and wanted to have a roof over his head. My husband threaten to deport me. He destroyed mt belongings. Placed weed in my handbag. He nbeat me, slapped me and tried to break my fingers constantly. I don't have police reports. For a while my son and I were on a waiting list. The waiting list is for a great organization recommended to my by my sons therapist. Its a center for battered women and their children. Now after waiting for so long, my son and I are finally going to a family therapist for counseling. And I'm going to a pep class for past and currently abused women. I spoke to an attorney for free and he told me about the personal statement. Even though I don't have an attorney yet, I'm already done woth my statement which is 21 pages long. I only had one witness my cousin, she's already starting her witness statement. I'm doing the work from what I have read online and free advice from lawyers. I know I need police clearance, plus statements of my good moral character. What else do I need? Suggestions?

First are you still married to him ? not that it matters ,second if not how long since you divorced,if its been more than 2 years then you aint eligible under vawa.I applied for vawa and did all the paper work myself and adjustment of status was approved.You need a personal statement(this is the most important of them all,write in detail what happend ,when ,what he said and did and how you reacted and how you felt about the whole event), proof of abuse from your therapist or counselor.You need proof that you entered into marriage in good faith(luckily your child with him is one of the good faith marriage),you need statement from atleast 2-3 peopel not just one,you need pics of you and him like weddings or vacation pictures to show on going of your relationship before the abuse.You need documents both in your names as proof of ever lived together this could be credit card bills,accounts together ,lease,health insurance or junk mail with your name and address of the place you lived together,letter of good conduct(police clearance) just to mention a few gather much documents and evidence as possible.Remember that emational abuse can be a bit difficult to prove but with a letter from your therapist that will help.The shelter that you went to seek help should help you with free lawyers they have some that is if you need help ,otherwise you can do it yourself .I did everything myself and you can do it too.All the best.

[Bananita 1]

@ladyg: yes, I am still married to him. I guess I need to get the police clearance by myself? What do I ask for? How do I do that. What about the fingerprint live scan? My biggest question would be for the statmements from people, do they need to be directed to someone is there a format? I'm thinking of getting an attorney just in case there's any complications. Thank you for your answer.

[ladyg 10]

@ladyg: yes, I am still married to him. I guess I need to get the police clearance by myself? What do I ask for? How do I do that. What about the fingerprint live scan? My biggest question would be for the statmements from people, do they need to be directed to someone is there a format? I'm thinking of getting an attorney just in case there's any complications. Thank you for your answer.

The lawyer may help only to file the papers to which you can do yourself,but whichever route you take its fine.I did my own paperwork from i-360,i-485 and i-765.Just read the instructions on i-360 and file together with i-485 and i-765,i-360 is free you will only pay for i-485 and i-765 would be free based on i-485 but if you dont have the money you can ask for a fee waiver but you need to prove that financially you aint able.As for the police clearance depending on the state you live go to department of justice website for example if you live in california you would go to http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/forms/livescan8016.pdf thats the form you would print out clearance letter AKA letter of good conduct then you would take that to a place where they do live scan ,they will send that to department of justice and 5-7 days letter you will receive the clearance letter and you would send it together with your application.Thats what I did because in my intial application i didnt enclose that letter so immigration wrote me a letter with the same instructions I just gave you .Hope I have been of help and feel free ,we here to help one another.

[Bananita 1]

I'm trying to find a website that shows what and how to put the Vawa packet together? But I can't find any! do the witness statements go addressed to someone? Like: uscis or Vermont center? Does immigration contact the witnesses? Thank you for your help.

[ladyg 10]

I'm trying to find a website that shows what and how to put the Vawa packet together? But I can't find any! do the witness statements go addressed to someone? Like: uscis or Vermont center? Does immigration contact the witnesses? Thank you for your help.

You wont find a website that will explain how to put the package together other than the i-360 requirements and ducuments needed.The witness need to write there address and contact number and should address it to vermont USCIS and to whom it may concern(USCIS HAD CALLED MY WITNESS GUESS THEY WILL CALL THEM)i think its only right that they variefy the story not only that to make sure the witness exist and that you didnt do that yourself.Then you can enclose that testmony together with yours and the rest of the documents required then send them to vermont service center.

[Bananita 1]

What kind of questions were they asked?? Also when it comes to the good moral witness statements what kind of things good things can they talk about regarding me ?

[Bananita 1]

@ladyg : do you know what questions they asked the witnesses?

[ladyg 10]

Sorry for late reply just saw your question today.They asked my witness how they know me and how long they have known me and a little of what they witnessed. My witness told me it was a less than 5 minutes conversation.The witness does not have to ponda so much on good moral character but on what they have witnessed.The police clearance will be your good report.

[Bananita 1]

@ladyg I only have one witness on the violence part and the rest on my good moral character I hope God makes everything go smoothly

[Bananita 1]

@ladyg I only have one witness on the violence part and the rest on my good moral character I hope God makes everything go smoothly

@ladyg : i would like to know what documents you included, and in what format, because I can't afford All the legal fees, im lost and sad now.

[Justine+David 218]

What is your current immigration status? Do you have a green card? Is it a 2-year conditional or 10 year card?

[ladyg 10]

@ladyg : i would like to know what documents you included, and in what format, because I can't afford All the legal fees, im lost and sad now.

YOU CAN CHECK THIS WEBSITE ...http://www.nwirp.org/Documents/FillingAnI-360Self-Petition.pdf

[Bananita 1]

Oh thank you that is really helpful