VAWA, Part 7

[redmango88 4]

I already filed the AOS last Aug 25, 2015 together with the VAWA and I-765.

Will it also affect my I-765? I haven't received that.

Thanks

[Sandra G. 5,056]

You will receive the EAD.The denial or approval will be decided when you attend the AOS interview.It's better to hire an attorney to attend the interview with you.

[redmango88 4]

You will receive the EAD.The denial or approval will be decided when you attend the AOS interview.It's better to hire an attorney to attend the interview with you.

Thanks Sandra! I will try to look for a lawyer here. I appreciate your advise. I will stay positive and fight!

[Villanelle 4,122]

Since this is early into VAWA part 7 I thought it would be useful to post some general information links and websites- since not everyone goes back and reads the prior threads.

One of the top concerns in the VAWA thread is legal representation. There are many free (pro bono) or low cost immigration attnys out there that can help you initially file or come on to your case even if you already filed. As mentioned in postings above its better to have an attny in the interview with you. You can use the american bar association directory here- https://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/probono/directory.html# or the dept of justices legal listings service here- http://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers-map to start. Services may be limited and/or the attny may have a full case load already so start looking as soon as possible. Call as many as you need to until you find someone.

Another concern is shelter. Call 911 if you need immediate assistance or have already been hurt. Otherwise you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

You can go to www.womenslaw.org for a state-by-state directory of domestic violence shelters and resources in the U.S. (http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_state.php?state_code=AL) This page also has help for how to get restraining orders and local legal aid among other things.

Shelter assistance can also be found here at the state coalitions for DV- http://www.ncadv.org/learn/state-coalitions

Here is a tour of a shelter for those apprehensive- http://www.safehorizon.org/page/tour-a-domestic-violence-shelter-138.html

DV pamphlet- http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Documents/2003silence.pdf

Safety pamphlet for HOW to leave- http://www.womenslaw.org/simple.php?sitemap_id=3

Help for abused men- http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/help-for-abused-men.htm OR http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1061

VAWA FAQS- http://www.immigrantjustice.org/sites/immigrantjustice.org/files/VAWA%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%202010%2011.pdf

Document gathering advice- http://www.ilrc.org/files/document_gathering_for_self-petitioning_under_the_violence_against_women_act.pdf

Detailed self petitioning guide- http://www.lsc.gov/sites/default/files/LSC/pdfs/11.%20Appendix%20X%20%20BB%20CHP%20Self-Petitioning.pdf

Crime victim compensation may be applicable depending on the crime/state/specifics- It is a government program to reimburse victims of violent crimes- such as assault, homicide, rape, and, in some states, burglary - as well as their families for many of their out-of-pocket expenses. Every state has a crime victim compensation program. http://www.nacvcb.org/index.asp?sid=6

Battered women charged with crimes- http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1071

Catholic Charities- http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/Page.aspx?pid=292

In most states, provides legal representation and information for victims of domestic violence with immigration issues.

Give back a smile- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation's (AACDCF) Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program heals some of the most devastating effects of domestic and sexual violence, by restoring the smiles of adult women and men who have suffered dental injuries to the front 8 teeth only, from a former intimate partner or spouse, family member or due to sexual assault .http://www.aacd.com/aboutGBAS

Find a therapist- https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/

Victim assistance by state- http://www.aardvarc.org/victim/states/

Edited February 9, 2016 by Damara

[redmango88 4]

Thank you very much for your response. I appreciate it a lot.

Since this is early into VAWA part 7 I thought it would be useful to post some general information links and websites- since not everyone goes back and reads the prior threads.

One of the top concerns in the VAWA thread is legal representation. There are many free (pro bono) or low cost immigration attnys out there that can help you initially file or come on to your case even if you already filed. As mentioned in postings above its better to have an attny in the interview with you. You can use the american bar association directory here- https://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/probono/directory.html# or the dept of justices legal listings service here- http://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers-map to start. Services may be limited and/or the attny may have a full case load already so start looking as soon as possible. Call as many as you need to until you find someone.

Another concern is shelter. Call 911 if you need immediate assistance or have already been hurt. Otherwise you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

You can go to www.womenslaw.org for a state-by-state directory of domestic violence shelters and resources in the U.S. (http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_state.php?state_code=AL) This page also has help for how to get restraining orders and local legal aid among other things.

Shelter assistance can also be found here at the state coalitions for DV- http://www.ncadv.org/learn/state-coalitions

Here is a tour of a shelter for those apprehensive- http://www.safehorizon.org/page/tour-a-domestic-violence-shelter-138.html

DV pamphlet- http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Documents/2003silence.pdf

Safety pamphlet for HOW to leave- http://www.womenslaw.org/simple.php?sitemap_id=3

Help for abused men- http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/help-for-abused-men.htm OR http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1061

VAWA FAQS- http://www.immigrantjustice.org/sites/immigrantjustice.org/files/VAWA%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%202010%2011.pdf

Document gathering advice- http://www.ilrc.org/files/document_gathering_for_self-petitioning_under_the_violence_against_women_act.pdf

Detailed self petitioning guide- http://www.lsc.gov/sites/default/files/LSC/pdfs/11.%20Appendix%20X%20%20BB%20CHP%20Self-Petitioning.pdf

Crime victim compensation may be applicable depending on the crime/state/specifics- It is a government program to reimburse victims of violent crimes- such as assault, homicide, rape, and, in some states, burglary - as well as their families for many of their out-of-pocket expenses. Every state has a crime victim compensation program. http://www.nacvcb.org/index.asp?sid=6

Battered women charged with crimes- http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1071

Catholic Charities- http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/Page.aspx?pid=292

In most states, provides legal representation and information for victims of domestic violence with immigration issues.

Give back a smile- The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation's (AACDCF) Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program heals some of the most devastating effects of domestic and sexual violence, by restoring the smiles of adult women and men who have suffered dental injuries to the front 8 teeth only, from a former intimate partner or spouse, family member or due to sexual assault .http://www.aacd.com/aboutGBAS

Find a therapist- https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/

Victim assistance by state- http://www.aardvarc.org/victim/states/

[Sandra G. 5,056]

VJ moderation if you think my post is not appropriate here, please move to another thread ok.

Many people here know that I am an attorney and a Christian Missionary as well. I want to invite you to listen to my program"New Beginning" Saturday at 4 pm(Eastern Time) . Two pastors and I registered the online Radio "Living Water Gospel Radio".

Unfortunately, in Brazil, they made a mistake when registering the radio name. It supposed to be "Living Water Gospel Radio" they misspelled the word Living and registered "linving" . It will cost a fortune and time-consuming to fix it the radio name, because of this the radio will remain with this name for now. Just my program will be in English, for one hour, each 15 days. I will have my program in Portuguese every Saturday at 3 pm as well, but I will start my program in Portuguese within 10 days.

All programs are 100% about preaching the Gospel and playing Gospel songs. There is a chat room and everyone is invited to enter into the radio chatroom, but please do not ask me any question about Immigration using the chat room, as I mentioned before our radio is a Gospel Radio and not about Immigration. We still have a bunch of things to improve on the radio,but we will have several programs with many American and Brazilian Pastors.

You can listen to our online radio here http://linvingwatergospelradio.com/ and you can use your cellphone to listen the program as well, just click where is written OUCA OUR RADIO PELO CELULAR(listen to our radio using the cell phone). Saturday will be my first program. I had already a pilot program but please forgive me if something goes wrong.

If there is any Christian Missionary or Pastor here, please contact me through private message or through email

PLEASE PUT ON YOUR AGENDA "PROGRAM NEW BEGINNING" , SATURDAY (Feb 13) AT 4 PM(EASTERN TIME)

​

Edited February 10, 2016 by sandranj

[Rebirth 1]

Redmango88 : I'm not an attorney though curious about why you signed divorce papers without finding out the terms for divorce.

Are you sure he's not trying to 'scare' you? ...cos my husband is a pro at using marriage/immigration to intimidate me. Can you contact the court to find out if there's anything you can do about it. Sorry about your situation.

[Skazzka 6]

Redmango88, did you ever get a final divorce decree or annulment decree? The court is supposed to send the copy to you, or you can get it from clerk of court. If it is not finalized yet, then you are not divorced yet, and maybe you can still do something to change the reason for divorce. I believe they put cause for divorce on the final divorce decree, and when you go for AOS interview, they might ask you for a copy of it, and see that divorce or annulment was done based on fraud. And it will be difficult to explain the officer. Check divorce or annulment requirements in your state and make sure you ex did everything right with serving you all papers, and the whole divorce or annulment process. And check for the final divorce decree, if you don't have it, then go to clerk of family court in your city or county and check with them.

Damara thank you for the links posted. It is very useful.

Sandranj thank you for this information.

[redmango88 4]

Redmango88, did you ever get a final divorce decree or annulment decree? The court is supposed to send the copy to you, or you can get it from clerk of court. If it is not finalized yet, then you are not divorced yet, and maybe you can still do something to change the reason for divorce. I believe they put cause for divorce on the final divorce decree, and when you go for AOS interview, they might ask you for a copy of it, and see that divorce or annulment was done based on fraud. And it will be difficult to explain the officer. Check divorce or annulment requirements in your state and make sure you ex did everything right with serving you all papers, and the whole divorce or annulment process. And check for the final divorce decree, if you don't have it, then go to clerk of family court in your city or county and check with them.

Damara thank you for the links posted. It is very useful.

Sandranj thank you for this information.

Skazzka,

Hi there! Thank you very much for the comments.

He filed for Summons and Petition of Invalidity

I haven't received anything. I just saw it online saying "the certification was mailed to Olympia". I just received an email from him telling me about the divorce. Days prior to that he keeps on calling me and telling me that "I will not stop and I will never ever allow you to be resident here". Im in the middle of fear and depression that time so I decided to sign it and mail it to him. I just want to get away from him.

Today, I got a notification that my I-485 was transferred in another office for initial review? which means I go for interview soon?

Thank you very much. I appreciate your help.

[redmango88 4]

Redmango88 : I'm not an attorney though curious about why you signed divorce papers without finding out the terms for divorce.

Are you sure he's not trying to 'scare' you? ...cos my husband is a pro at using marriage/immigration to intimidate me. Can you contact the court to find out if there's anything you can do about it. Sorry about your situation.

He keeps on calling me and keeps on saying " I will not allow you to stay here in America". Im in the middle to fear and depression during that time that's why i decided to sign the document that he attached on his email. He told me it's divorce but when I check it online it says summons and petition for invalidity.

[Oti 1]

Hi VJ members! Congrats to all Vawa approvals. And as for me my VAwa was approved last year December and my file was sent to NBC it has been a month since..!??. I don't know how long it takes for interview for my AOS..! Any ideas my home office is in Houston Tx.

Also I did file divorce but my husband has been playing cat and mouse games he doesn't want to sign them!! Now am stuck don't know what to do Sandra plzz advise!!

[Skazzka 6]

Oti, my file was sent to NBC on November 27 2015 and nothing since then. From other people posts here I estimated around 5-6 months before my interview. But it depends on the local office. I keep just waiting.

Redmango88, maybe you should consult divorce attorney about you case asap.

[Rebirth 1]

Do I get my EAD renewed prior to Vawa approval or afterwards? I submitted i-360/-765/i-485 together. My EAD expires in a few weeks. I'm not sure if to notify HR or continue working. I work in the Oil and Gas industry and i'm TERRIFIED because a leave of absence could also mean layoff or termination considering the job market right now.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[coolbeans 2]

You should request a renewal 90 days before it expires if you havent heard anything about your case.

[Rebirth 1]

You should request a renewal 90 days before it expires if you havent heard anything about your case.

Thanks, but I just filed my VAWA petition. Though I applied for EAD renewal December 2015 before my ex-husband withdrew my i-130 so the basis for employment eligibility has changed to VAWA. My question is if EAD is only granted after approval or while a VAWA case is pending.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Rebirth