We believe that VAWA is only for women who suffer from domestic violence. However, it isn’t the case, VAWA is for everyone, including men, women, and people of different sexual orientation. Research shows that lesbians, gays, and transgender people are more prone to domestic violence compared to normal couples. The problem further escalates when the survivor of abuse is an immigrant.
With the helplessness of the situation, these immigrants can consult a VAWA Immigration Attorney Lauderale. They provide you comprehensive guidance on the application of VAWA from the beginning till the end.
This blog is all about answering your questions related to VAWA for domestic violence survivors of same sex marriage.
Why do Domestic Violence Survivors Choose VAWA?
Any immigrant surviving domestic violence can apply for VAWA without letting their spouse know about it. This applies for survivors from same sex marriage as well. Here’s how lawyers can help you throughout the process of using VAWA:
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Pathway to Legal Status
An experienced lawyer helps applicants of VAWA to get legal status in the country. It means that the survivor can live in the country for as long as they become eligible for a green card. Therefore, in the upcoming times, they can become permanent residents of the country.
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File case in a Proper Manner
The lawyer can prepare your case with evidence to support your claim. They have access to medical reports, documents, affidavits, followed by a certificate from a mental health professional. These evidences are important during the application for VAWA, especially for survivors of domestic violence during same sex marriage.
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Safeguarding Victims with legal support
In some cases, the domestic violence survivors may need extra protection from the hands of their abuser. Best VAWA Immigration Attorney Lauderdale provides you with guidance on how to do so without any delay. This one step helps you to live with peace of mind as you travel across states safely.
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Work Authorization
The reason why immigrants fail to quit their marriage is because of a lack of financial freedom. The process of independence involves becoming self-sufficient. The Business Visa Lawyers Lauderdale help you to apply for a work permit at the time of application of VAWA.
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Eligibility for Public Benefits
A single error during VAWA leads to disastrous consequences. It offers not only freedom from your abusive spouse but also helps in regaining peace of mind. This is because once the lawyer helps you to get approved for VAWA, you are eligible for public benefits. It includes Medicaid, SNAP( Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and housing assistance programs.
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Access to Social Services
Along with public benefits, the VAWA approved applicants are also entitled to social services. It includes services provided by organizations such as domestic violence shelters and counseling programs.
Challenges While Seeking Solutions
Immigrants in same sex marriage often live under the notion that no one will help them. They live under different misconceptions, which stop them from applying for VAWA. Let us look into some of them in detail.
- People believe that abuse takes place only when a male partner is involved in it. A female partner is capable of carrying out the same kind of abuse as the male partner. Abuse is abuse. Be it mental, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. This stigma stops most of the victims from seeking out for legal help such as VAWA.
- In the LGBTQ community, survivors of domestic violence fear that quitting their abuser may make them isolated from others. Thus, they are more hesitant to ask for help because of their judgmental families or threats from their abuser.
- The victims often suffer from physical, mental, and verbal abuse. Most people fail to seek solutions because of financial constraints. It made you feel unsafe and threatened. However, an immigration lawyer can help you with Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVSO). The DVSO may help you to remove abusers from the shared residence, order them to seek counselling sessions, and order them to submit harmful weapons. This keeps the victims safe from the hands of the abusers legally.
You can seek out an experienced lawyer who can help you with your lingering prejudices and apply for VAWA. Business Visa Lawyers Lauderdale can help you to gain financial freedom.
Eligibility for VAWA
The survivor of domestic violence can apply for VAWA without letting his/her spouse know about it. The application process remains confidential between you and your attorney only. Let us have a look at some eligibility criteria for VAWA now:
- The abusive relationship must have occurred in the United States.
- The abuser must be a lawful citizen of the country.
- The survivor must demonstrate good moral character
- The survivor must have resided with the abuser.
- The survivor must have evidence to support his claims
- The survivor must have entered into marriage with good faith, not for the purpose of seeking permanent residence in the country.
- In case of divorce, the survivor must apply for VAWA within two years to meet the eligibility criteria.
These eligibility criteria are applicable for victims irrespective of their gender and sexual orientation. The domestic violence survivors from same sex marriage have the same protection rights to access VAWA.
Conclusion
It is never easy to quit abusive relationships. It doesn’t matter whether you are in a heterosexual marriage or you belong to a same sex marriage. The victims often fear their survival in the foreign countries with no reliable back-ups. However, Vawa Immigration Attorney Lauderdale can help you with all the legal work required to survive in a foreign country.
If you need an Immigration Lawyer, you can consult our experts, who passionately advocate for clients’ rights in a foreign country.