ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE

[damiete 0]

Hi everyone, its my first time here on visa journey. I have a very complicated case or so it seems.. and i am on the verge of hiring an immigration lawyer but i do not know how competent she is. Her name is Maryam Kia, her office is in Sacramento, California, she sounds very professional and experienced though but i would like a few recommendations (IF ANY) or work related experiences anyone had with her during their case. I would also like to know if she has had successful immigration cases.

My story is this: I got married to a u.s citizen over a year ago, we got married in my country and afterwards he brought me over to the u.s on a b2 visa. He filed a petition for me when we arrived the u.s and in a few weeks i went in for biometrics, then a few months later we got a date for the AOS interview and my work permit and SSC arrived a month later.. every thing happened really fast and we were excited at first, until things took a big plunge.. we started having marital issues, my husband started being very abusive, he would beat me up and then threaten to deport me. However, we attended the interview but we were given an extension reason being missing documents and we are expected to submit the required documents within a given time frame. I still love my abuser, sadly, but i can no longer stand the threats and abuse, so i am thinking i should file all by myself for VAWA, and my attorney thinks its a good time to do so.

Can anyone please tell me how this VAWA filing works? And also the rules behind it.. Would i be required to move out of our home once i start the process, do i have to get a divorce or maybe a legal separation? And how soon am i expected to be divorced from my abuser, if divorce is pertinent? Thank u

[TBoneTX 46,116]

*** Thread moved from Family-Based AOS case progress subforum to the Effects of Major Changes forum, where VAWA is discussed and the OP's questions have a chance of being answered. ***

[kari81 18]

I will suggest you hang in there and try to provide the needed documents to secure your two year green card for now. WAWA is not easy be approved. You have to provide evidence of abuse like the police and doctor report. I don't think you want to call a police on him if the "abuse" is not that serious. Police is now skeptical to issue report to immigrants like you because they know you can use it to apply for WAWA to get your green card. But if you are able to stay and get your 2year green card, you can get a lawyer to help you remove the condition without the involvment of your husband. So be careful with the WAWA route. it is very complicated and costs alot. Good luck

Hi everyone, its my first time here on visa journey. I have a very complicated case or so it seems.. and i am on the verge of hiring an immigration lawyer but i do not know how competent she is. Her name is Maryam Kia, her office is in Sacramento, California, she sounds very professional and experienced though but i would like a few recommendations (IF ANY) or work related experiences anyone had with her during their case. I would also like to know if she has had successful immigration cases.

My story is this: I got married to a u.s citizen over a year ago, we got married in my country and afterwards he brought me over to the u.s on a b2 visa. He filed a petition for me when we arrived the u.s and in a few weeks i went in for biometrics, then a few months later we got a date for the AOS interview and my work permit and SSC arrived a month later.. every thing happened really fast and we were excited at first, until things took a big plunge.. we started having marital issues, my husband started being very abusive, he would beat me up and then threaten to deport me. However, we attended the interview but we were given an extension reason being missing documents and we are expected to submit the required documents within a given time frame. I still love my abuser, sadly, but i can no longer stand the threats and abuse, so i am thinking i should file all by myself for VAWA, and my attorney thinks its a good time to do so.

Can anyone please tell me how this VAWA filing works? And also the rules behind it.. Would i be required to move out of our home once i start the process, do i have to get a divorce or maybe a legal separation? And how soon am i expected to be divorced from my abuser, if divorce is pertinent? Thank u

[erynaught 43]

Good advice to go the 2yr GC route and ROC with waiver.

However, if he's beating you up and being that physical, the likelihood if it escalating over the next two years is high. If it's real, then document everything and seek out help immediately.

[The Mean Lady 604]

suggesting someone stay in an unhappy unhealthy marriage that they want out of just to gain a green card is not good advice.

you would be lying and commiting fraud.