VAWA

[little_mermaid 5]

Hello,

I am married to a green card holder since January 2013. We were together since August 2007. When we fist met, I didn't really liked him, but I didn't know anyone and I thought that he was very nice to me, like a real gentleman. When I met him, he was married but legally separated with his American ex-wife. He received a green card in 2008. They were separated until 2011 when they finally decided to get divorced. Their divorce had nothing to do with me. He got 2 DUIs in 2011 and 2012 I think. He is on the probation for 4.5 years (approximately until 2017). I came with J1 visa and some of my friends here kind of talked me into staying in the USA. I applied for college and was accepted. My husband ( boyfriend at that time) was sponsoring my student visa. When I told him that I don't want to live together, because its weird, since he was married (even though they lived in different cities), he was beginning me to move in with him, when I said "No", he told me that he will cancel sponsorship of my visa. I thought that he loved me so much that he wanted me to be always near him. 6 months after living together he became rude, was using nasty language, drinking. I wanted to leave him so many times, but he always was apologizing, holding me, sometimes hiding my belongings, car keys, once cut tires on my car. He never let me work, he doesn't want me to stay late anywhere. I still go to school and if I am coming home (to his house I mean), he calls me #######. Sometimes he calls me when I am at the library and its really quiet there, and yells at me that I am a ####### and a cheater. I need to somehow leave, but I have nowhere to go, he always tells me that people hate me, that I don't have real friends. So, even though we are married, I never applied for any immigration documents, because I am afraid to be tied up to him. Majority of "our friends" think that he is a very supportive husband, but it was never like that. Everything he does for me, he always reminds me and makes me feel really miserable.

Sorry for the long story, but I wanted to explain my situation. I met up with a lawyer in march 2013 and was asking her about VAWA. She sure told me to apply, but I was wondering if any of you guys are/were spouses of green card holders and applied for VAWA, how ,one did the process go and how did it affect your LPR spouse.

Thank you

[makebalayesarr 9]

As a spouse of us citizen/ permanent resident, you may qualified to apply for vawa (violence of womens Act) provide you can prove that your us citizen /LPR spouse has mistreated you or you've been battered..have police reports and counseling documents. You can self-petition or retain an attorney. Reminder" your spouse shouldn't know that you're filling for vawa...

[Umka36 781]

The following link come from USCIS about VAWA:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b85c3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b85c3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

[Umka36 781]

This probably needs to be moved over to "Effects of Major Family Changes on Immigration Benefits" discussion site.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

~ Moved from AOS Family Based to Effects of Major Family Changes ~

[SingleDad2usc 71]

Why are you asking how it will effect him?

[Jacque67 7,328]

Why are you asking how it will effect him?

Gas lighting

[little_mermaid 5]

Gas lighting

Hi,

What do you mean by "gas lighting"?

[Sandra G. 5,070]

you should joint the thread vawa part 4.In order to prove mental abuse you have to prove extreme cruelty, not just some calling names, you need to show the abuse changed your behavior for a while and you developed depression or pos traumatic disorder or anxiety. You should have a psychological evaluation done(at least 5/5 sessions of therapy) .

[little_mermaid 5]

you should joint the thread vawa part 4.In order to prove mental abuse you have to prove extreme cruelty, not just some calling names, you need to show the abuse changed your behavior for a while and you developed depression or pos traumatic disorder or anxiety. You should have a psychological evaluation done(at least 5/5 sessions of therapy) .

Thank you for the response.

I am actually seeing a counselor.