Latest News

The DACA program has helped more than 800,000 dreamers be allowed to work and live in the country without fears of deportation, opening a potential path to citizenship.

This year marks a decade since former President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as the DACA program, in an executive order that granted deportation protection to hundreds of thousands of young migrants who had been brought to the country irregularly as children.

However, the DACA program emerged as a temporary and not permanent measure, which is why it was issued from the White House as an executive order and was not discussed in the Senate. And despite having benefited thousands of young migrants, the DACA program has not resolved their immigration status.

On its tenth anniversary, the future of the program is at risk from a lawsuit from a Texas appeals court to try to end DACA. It is for this reason that dreamers and community leaders continue to demand a permanent and definitive solution to be able to obtain American citizenship without any more legal obstacles.

What happened to the DACA program since its implementation?

After its creation and implementation in June 2012, the DACA program, also called ‘Dreamers Act’, has managed to generate a great change for migrant communities that had children living in the country for several years, but did not have legal immigration status. It has clearly been one of the best changes and most profitable advances that have happened in the immigrant community of the United States.

However, in September 2017 during the Donald Trump administration, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions tried to eliminate the DACA program. Four months later, a San Francisco court annulled the cancellation and ordered the reactivation of the DACA program, allowing recipients to continue renewing their permits, but new applications to the program were not allowed.

In 2018, the DACA program received a second lawsuit filed by nine states led by Texas. The federal court in the south of the country that carried out the judicial process ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately suspend the granting of new work permits to applicants who had never registered. This order issued from the federal court of the Southern District of Texas affected some 80,000 dreamers who applied to enter the program.

This lawsuit continues with its ongoing appeal, on July 6 the hearing will be held before the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, where the lawyers of both parties will deliver their arguments. If the court ratifies the lower court’s ruling, the legal battle will be dealt with in the Supreme Court and may last until mid-2023.

What difficulties do beneficiaries of the DACA Program currently face?

Dreamers who are already beneficiaries of the DACA program obtain protection from deportation and a temporary work permit that must be renewed every two years. Considering the bureaucratic times to apply for this permit, Dreamers must apply for it at least six months in advance and eagerly wait for it to arrive on time, otherwise, their jobs are at risk. In addition to that, when applying for American citizenship and improving their immigration status, they must do so by their own means, going through various bureaucratic obstacles.

On the other hand, it is estimated that 700,000 Dreamers applicants are waiting to apply and obtain the benefits of the DACA program. In mid-April of this year, the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had 121,592 work permit applications pending (Form I-765).

“The reality is that millions of undocumented people live in uncertainty (…) we are living in a status where each court, each politician, can change the course of the lives of dreamers and those who seek to be.”

Fragment of a speech by José Muñoz, spokesperson for United We Dream.

What is happening with the DACA program today?

The program managed to benefit and protect more than 800,000 undocumented youth who have managed to complete their studies, obtain their university degrees, buy houses, open their own businesses and provide stability to their families. A decade after its creation, the future of the DACA program is uncertain and the obstacles in the Senate prevent it from being officially decreed by the National Congress.

To solve this problem, comprehensive immigration reform must be carried out that facilitates citizenship for Dreamers who seek to obtain that immigration status. The only way to protect Dreamers and DACA recipients from the threat of deportation is by passing legislation that leads to citizenship. That could end the inordinate fear of deportation and family separation they live with every day.

If you are in need of immigration legal advice, do not hesitate to contact us! At the Law Office of Shelle-Ann Simon we have wide experience in immigration proceedings, family law, and personal injury and have successfully defended our clients for over 10 years. Contact us through our website or give us a call at 281-606-0800!
CONTACT US!

Looking to immigrate to the US? Learn how to apply for TPS or Temporary Protected Status to see if you qualify for its benefits.

There are many reasons behind the decision to emigrate to another country. For a lot of people, it means a potential escape from political persecution, economical instability, wars, or even natural disasters. Luckily, the United States offers a special migratory benefit that applies to certain countries where extraordinary circumstances make it difficult for their citizens to survive.

This immigration benefit, called Temporary Protected Status or TPS is assigned by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when it considers that returning to the country in question is dangerous. If your country is going through some of these scenarios, learning how to apply for TPS in order to immigrate to the United States can be lifesaving.

How does the TPS work?

If the DHS considers that returning to your country of origin remains dangerous due to any of these previously mentioned circumstances, it can grant a TPS. This means that citizens of that country who are in the United States at the time the designation is granted by DHS will be able to apply for this status and remain on American soil for the duration of the designation.

Having TPS confers the following benefits to a person: they cannot be removed from the United States, they can obtain employment authorization, and apply for travel authorization. At the time TPS is assigned, the Secretary of DHS determines the effective period.

This can be six, twelve, or eighteen months. Before the designation expires, the secretary must decide whether or not to renew it, after evaluating the situation in the designated foreign country. His decision must be made before the term expires, no later than 60 days before the expiration date of the TPS.

Depending on the particular circumstances of each country, the TPS designation can extend for years or even decades. However, at the end of the designation period, people with TPS will return to their immigration status prior to obtaining the benefit, unless it has expired. They can, however, obtain another legal immigration status during the period in which they have TPS and thus guarantee their permanence in the country beyond the term of designation.

Countries with Temporary Protected Status in 2022

Currently, there are 15 countries that have been assigned TPS. These are:

• Afghanistan
• Cameroon
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Venezuela
• Yemen

Who can apply for TPS?

Citizens of the designated countries or non-nationals who have one of those countries as their last habitual residence can apply for Temporary Protected Status. Remember that TPS can only be requested by those who are residing in the United States and are physically present in the country prior to or from the date of designation of the TPS they are requesting.

It is possible to file a TPS application late, but the applicant must show that he has good cause for doing so. USCIS, the agency that receives and processes applications, will decide whether or not to accept a late application.

Additionally, USCIS may make an exception to the continuous stay requirement if the applicant was briefly, causally, and innocently absent from the United States, but only if USCIS is informed of this. They will evaluate the case and decide whether to grant the exception or not.

How to apply for TPS in the United States

To apply for TPS you must meet these basic eligibility requirements that we just mentioned. If you qualify for TPS, you must submit a series of documents to USCIS for them to evaluate your application and grant you Temporary Protected Status.

The first thing USCIS will ask you to do is fill out form I-821, which is the application for Temporary Protected Status. This can be presented in person or online. If you want employment authorization, be sure to file Form I-765 jointly (either in person or online). You can do it at a later date, but it is best to do it simultaneously.

Make sure you are admissible to the United States before you apply. If you are inadmissible, you can still file, but you will also need to file Form I-601 to get a waiver of inadmissibility. Remember that most of these procedures have fees and that you must pay them in a timely manner for USCIS to receive and process your applications.

You can request a fee waiver if you have special circumstances, but you will need to make the request at the time you submit your petition.

Submit all the necessary evidence

When you file form I-821 you must also present evidence that verifies that you are eligible to apply for TPS. You first need evidence of your identity and nationality, to show that you are from a TPS country (or a non-national whose last residence was a TPS country) and that you are using credible credentials.

Second, evidence of your date of entry into the United States, to show that your date of entry into the country qualifies you to apply for TPS. Third and last, evidence of continuous residence in the United States, showing that you are living on American soil as of the date required for the TPS you are applying for.

Remember that if you submit non-English documents as evidence, you must submit a full translation of each document certified by a qualified translator.

Terremoto en Nepal en 2015.

How to apply for TPS renewal and work permission

Just as it is important to submit your TPS application in a timely manner, you must take care to submit the renewal of your TPS and work authorization, if you have it, within the stipulated deadlines to do so. The USCIS website has detailed information on the deadlines established for each country with TPS.

If USCIS accepts your application, they will send you an acknowledgment of receipt. This does not mean that you have been granted TPS, but rather that you meet the basic criteria. If they need to take your biometric data, they will summon you to an Application Assistance Center.

USCIS will evaluate your application, and they will determine if they give you TPS, if they need additional information, or if they reject it. If they need more information, they will notify you of it. It is important that you respond as soon as possible to ensure that your application is not rejected for this reason.

If you are in need of immigration legal advice or help to apply for TPS do not hesitate to contact us! At the Law Office of Shelle-Ann Simon we have wide experience in immigration proceedings, family law, and personal injury and have successfully defended our clients for over 10 years. Contact us through our website or give us a call at 281-606-0800!
CONTACT US TODAY!

The USCIS Boston asylum office has one of the lowest asylum approval rates in the country. Between 2015 and 2020, the office approved just 15.5% of cases — compared to a 28% national average.

A coalition of researchers and New England lawmakers raised the alarm after a detailed report surfaced. As of today, a formal investigation has been requested into the Boston asylum office’s practices.

Why the Boston asylum office approval rate is so low

The Boston asylum office serves asylum seekers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. Its asylum approval rate dropped further in 2021, reaching just 11% of applications granted — the second lowest among all nine USCIS asylum offices nationwide.

The national average for the same 2015–2020 period stood at 28% — far above the USCIS asylum approval rate recorded at the Boston office. The data was compiled by several organizations, including the ACLU of Maine and the Human Rights and Refugee Organization at the University of Maine School of Law.

Discrimination flagged as a key factor

Researchers found that applicants from African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as non-English speakers, were significantly less likely to receive asylum at the Boston office compared to other nationalities.

According to the report, this pattern suggests a bias based on language and national origin among the officers reviewing applications. USCIS employees can either approve an application or refer it to immigration courts — a much longer process handled by the Department of Justice.

The backlog problem and its impact on decisions

The report also linked the low approval rate to the office’s growing backlog. USCIS processing delays — across asylum, visa, and adjustment of status cases — worsened significantly due to office closures during the pandemic.

Researchers noted that officers burdened by large caseloads may be more likely to refer cases to immigration court rather than process them directly. For many applicants, this adds months or years to an already difficult wait.

Lawmakers call for a federal investigation

Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey and seven other Democratic lawmakers sent a formal request to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to open an investigation into the Boston asylum office.

Their letter asked the Inspector General to determine whether the grant rate is unusually low and, if so, why — and to take steps to ensure that the rights of asylum seekers are protected under current law.

“We write to request that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General immediately open an investigation into the Boston Asylum Office to determine whether, and if so, why its grant rate is so low, and to take appropriate steps to ensure that the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States through the Boston Asylum Office are protected and enforced.”
— Excerpt from Senator Markey’s letter

If you have a pending asylum case or need guidance on any immigration matter, our immigration attorneys are here to help. We have over 10 years of experience supporting clients through complex proceedings. You can also check your USCIS case status anytime to stay informed about where things stand.

Frequently asked questions about the USCIS Boston asylum office

What is the approval rate at the USCIS Boston asylum office?

As of the most recent data available, the Boston asylum office approval rate was approximately 11% in 2021 — well below the national average of around 28% for the 2015–2020 period. This makes it one of the lowest grant rates among all nine USCIS asylum offices in the United States.

Under current policy, these rates can shift based on staffing, backlog, and administrative priorities. If you have a pending case, we recommend staying in contact with your legal representative and monitoring any updates from USCIS.

What can I do if I have a pending asylum case at the Boston office?

If your case is pending at the Boston asylum office, staying informed is essential. You can check your USCIS case status online to monitor any updates. If your case has been pending for an unusually long time or was referred to immigration court, consulting with our immigration attorneys can help you understand your options and respond appropriately to any USCIS requests.

Why does the Boston asylum office deny so many cases?

Research points to two main factors: a potential bias based on national origin and language, and a growing backlog that strains officer decision-making. Applicants from African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as non-English speakers, were found to receive less favorable outcomes at this office compared to other asylum offices nationwide.

A large caseload may also lead officers to refer more cases to immigration court rather than adjudicating them directly, which prolongs the process for applicants already in vulnerable situations.

Is there an investigation into the USCIS Boston asylum office?

As of the time of this writing, Senator Edward Markey and seven other Democratic lawmakers formally requested that the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General open an investigation into the Boston asylum office. The request focuses on whether the low grant rate reflects systemic issues and whether applicant rights are being upheld.

The outcome of that investigation, as well as any resulting policy changes, would likely affect how cases are reviewed going forward. Under current circumstances, the investigation status and any findings have not been fully disclosed publicly.

The fate of the Remain in Mexico program, also known as Migrant Protection Protocols or MPPs will be discussed in the Supreme Court.

The future of the controversial Remain in Mexico program will be discussed in the Supreme Court this week. At the request of the Biden Administration, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) that have been in force since January 2019 are going to be called into question and it will be considered whether to finish this policy.

Since February 18, the court promised to review the anti-immigrant policy in April, and everything indicates that we will see the final results by the summer of this year.

What is the Remain in Mexico program exactly?

The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) or Remain in Mexico program is a policy implemented during the Trump Era that requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for the United States immigration courts to process their cases. Those who enter the country without papers and request asylum in the United States are deported and forced to return to Mexico while they await the regularization of their immigration status.

It emerged as a response to the refusal of the Mexican government to recognize itself as a Safe Third Country for those seeking asylum. The Trump Administration, which at the time maintained a zero-tolerance policy, established the MPP without taking the matter to Congress, thus changing US asylum laws.

The future of the MPP

After a long wait, the Supreme Court agreed to begin discussing this matter at the request of the government and the Department of Justice (DOJ), looking whether to put an end to the Remain in Mexico program. They argue that the immigration measure is not effective, and does not serve as a tool to prevent illegal and irregular migration, in addition to putting immigrants at unnecessary risk and preventing the administration from properly implementing its immigration policies and efforts. The MPP also interferes negatively in the work of the national government regarding international relations and foreign policies.

Since the end of last year, the government has been battling for the court to put an end to the MPP once and for all. However, after many comings and goings, protests, and counter-protests, on December 6, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had no alternative but to put it back into force. This happened because prosecutors from the states of Texas and Missouri filed lawsuits against the DHS freezing of the policy.

Appeals to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the policy were all in vain, and the government of Joe Biden was accused of acting in an illegal and unreasonable manner for trying to shut down the policy. The demands from the DHS and the administration to put an end to this policy returned again, in August and later in October, but still without satisfactory results for the government’s immigration agenda.

Since its inception in 2019, more than 70,000 asylum-seeking immigrants have been affected by the Remain in Mexico program, most of them abandoning their cases after being expelled to Mexico. This was due to personal fears of the interested parties to continue with their requests, in addition to organizational irregularities that ended up preventing the proper functioning of the process.

If you are in need of immigration legal advice, do not hesitate to contact us! At the Law Office of Shelle-Ann Simon we have wide experience in immigration proceedings, family law, and personal injury and have successfully defended our clients for over 10 years. Contact us through our website or give us a call at (281) 606-0800!
CONTACT US TODAY!

Are you unsure of your current immigration status? If you believe you might have a deportation order, you need to act quickly.

Any immigrant in the United States may face a deportation order to their country of origin under certain circumstances. Deportation is the process of formal expulsion of a migrant when the country’s federal laws are broken. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) is the government entity in charge of processing and carrying out deportation orders and has the power to deport all foreign nationals who participate in illegal acts, are considered a threat to public safety, or have violated their visa or immigration permits.

We know that currently, not all migrants who have a deportation order are aware of it. In many cases, an immigration court or even the USCIS can order a voluntary departure from the country. This is a resource that immigration authorities offer or grant to undocumented migrants who do not have a criminal record and do not constitute a threat to public safety.

However, on several occasions, the migrant is not aware of their deportation order, especially in cases where he has not appeared for an appointment with an immigration judge. In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information to know if you have a deportation order and how you should proceed to resolve it.

How does the deportation process work?

In the first place, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of deportation proceedings, those that must be dealt with in a hearing in ac immigration Court and those that do not require it. Migrants who travel to the United States without travel documents or with forged documents can be quickly deported without a hearing under an expedited removal order.

On the other hand, those people who must attend a hearing in an immigration court will receive a notification via a letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This notice orders the migrant involved to appear before an immigration judge on a particular day and time.

Migrants who receive the letter and do not appear can be sentenced by a judge to deportation in absentia, which has severe immigration consequences. At the hearing, the judge will determine if the deportation order is correct in order to proceed with the deportation process, or the judge may consider some type of exoneration.

Can a deportation order be revoked?

There are ways to avoid being deported. To do this, you must proceed to an adjustment of status, in order to obtain a Green Card and become a legal permanent resident.

Some exemptions include: resorting to a relative’s petition, an asylum application, or withholding of removal if it can be justified that you will be in serious danger if you return to your country of origin. There are other methods of exoneration, as well as it is possible to appeal certain deportation decisions.

How do I know if I have a deportation order in the United States?

If you want to know if you or someone else has a deportation order or if you are looking for any information about the status of a particular court case, you will need to contact the immigration court. Luckily, you can find out if you or anyone else has a deportation order easily and free of charge through a phone call.

But if you or the person for whom you want to find out has not gone through immigration court, nor has it interacted with USCIS before, there is no easy way to find out or know their legal immigration status without specialized help in the topic. For this reason, we highly recommend working with experienced immigration lawyers to avoid making costly mistakes.

If you are in need of immigration legal advice, do not hesitate to contact us! At the Law Office of Shelle-Ann Simon we have wide experience in immigration proceedings, family law, and personal injury and have successfully defended our clients for over 10 years. Contact us through our website or give us a call at 281-606-0800!
CONTACT US TODAY!

Most immigrants rely on their family members of spouses to file a green card petition in their name in order to adjust their status. However, domestic abuse situations will prevent immigrant victims from adjusting their status, as their green card is reliant on their abuser’s cooperation. In order to help these victims, the VAWA immigration process was created.

Immigrant victims of domestic abuse can still fix their status without the cooperation of their abusive spouse or relative with a VAWA self-petition. What’s more, ff you qualify for a VAWA self-petition you can get a Green Card even if you entered the country without inspection or are considered a public charge.

This guide explains how the VAWA process works, eligibility requirements for VAWA self-petitions and the evidence you need to collect to build your case.

This article was written by legal experts from the Law Office of Shelle Ann-Simon. While we explain how the immigration law works, none of this is intended as legal advice. If you need help with your immigration case, you can schedule a consultation with attorney Shelle-Ann Simon. All details about your case are confidential.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: 281-606-0800

What is the Violence Against Women Act?

The Violence Against Women Act is a comprehensive set of laws that was first created in 1994 to protect individuals against gender-based crimes. Better known as VAWA, this United States Federal Law also protects immigrant victims who have been abused by close relatives or spouses who are US citizens or legal permanent residents.

What is VAWA Immigration Law?

VAWA Immigration Law are benefits, protections and exemptions that apply to qualifying immigrant victims of domestic violence. These are laws and policies that are designed to help victims in tough situations without exposing them to their abuser. With VAWA, these non-immigrant victims can fix their immigration status.

What is a VAWA self-petition?

A VAWA self-petition is an immigration benefit available to immigrant victims of domestic abuse. If you are eligible for a family-based green-card, but depend on your abuser to file the petition for you, you can present the petition to adjust status on your own with a VAWA self-petition.

VAWA Immigration Requirements

In order to qualify for a VAWA self-petition, you need to prove that you are suffering from domestic abuse, and that you are closely related or married to the abuser. The abuser must be either a US citizen or legal permanent resident.

You qualify for a VAWA self-petition if you are the victim of battery or cruelty committed by an abusive:

• US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident Spouse or Former Spouse
• US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident Parent
• US Citizen Son or Daughter

Do minors qualify for VAWA?

You can file a VAWA self-petition as the child of an abusive legal permanent resident or US citizen until the age of 21. You may be able to obtain an extension up to the age of 25 if you can connect your late filing to the abuse you suffered from your parent.

Can my children request a green card through VAWA?

Children of VAWA petitioners can also file a petition to adjust their status if they are under the age of 21 and unmarried. Stepchildren also qualify for this benefit, even if their abused parent has divorced the abuser.

Is my gender a factor for VAWA self-petitions?

Although the W in VAWA stands for women, anyone can apply for a VAWA self-petition regardless of their gender or the gender of their abuser. Although statistically most victims of domestic violence are women, there is a significant number of men who suffer from domestic violence at the hands of their partners.

You can learn more about VAWA eligibility and special cases with our VAWA eligibility guide.

What can I do if I don’t qualify for a VAWA self-petition?

If you cannot get your green card through the VAWA process, you may still be able to fix your status with a different visa. The U Visa and the T Visa are special immigration benefits available to immigrant victims of serious crimes and immigrant victims of human trafficking, respectively. You can consult an attorney to evaluate your case and decide which visa better suits your situation.

What qualifies as domestic violence for VAWA Immigration?

Domestic violence is not restricted to physical abuse, battering, sexual assault and/or rape, although these are extremeley common. Emotional abuse and economic control over the victim, as well as threats, intimidation and isolation can also be considered domestic abuse.

The UN defines domestic abuse as a “pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner”. Domestic abuse can look very different from case to case and it can happen to anyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, immigration background, ethnicity or any other factor.

VAWA Immigration Process

To apply for a green card through the VAWA immigration process, you have to file a VAWA self-petition and present supporting evidence for your case. If USCIS approves your self-petition, you can file for adjustment of status. Once this petition is approved, you will receive your green card.

How to file VAWA self-petition and adjustment of status

To file a VAWA self-petition, you have to use the form I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. VAWA self-petitioners do not have to pay the filing fee, which normally costs $435.

Once your self-petition has been approved by USCIS, you have to file the form I-485 or Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. If your abusive family member filed a petition for you, you can request USCIS to make a change to the pending I-485 so that is is based on your VAWA self-petition and it doesn’t rely on your abuser’s.

You need an approved Form I-360 to qualify for a Green Card. However, if a visa is immediately available to you, you do not have to wait until the I-360 is approved to file your I-485 (adjustment of status).

To check whether a green card is immediately available to you, see the VISA bulletin guidelines and categories.

Gathering supporting evidence for your VAWA self-petition

To file a VAWA self-petition, you need supporting evidence that you were a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of your US Citizen spouse, former spouse or close relative. Gathering evidence can be quite difficult in these cases, as your abuser may withhold important documents, or you may be unable to go back to your shared residence to get them.

USCIS recognizes that collecting evidence in VAWA cases is uniquely challenging. However, you still have to present as much evidence as possible in order to build your claim. You can work together with an immigration attorney to find suitable documentation to support your claim, and to find alternatives when certain documents are not available.

In order to file a VAWA self-petition, you need evidence of:

• The abuser’s status as a US citizen or legal permanent resident
• Your relationship with the abuser (like marriage or birth records). If the abuser is your spouse or former spouse, you must present evidence that you entered the marriage in good faith.
• Evidence that you live or lived with the abuser. This must be a document that includes both of your names and the address you both lived in.
• Evidence of the Abuse. You may present police records, medical records, records, restraining orders, visits to the shelter, court records and any document that can prove there was physical, emotional, financial or any other form of abuse.
• Good Moral Character. You have to present police records that show that you area law-abiding individual and have committed no crimes. VAWA petitioners with a record can request a waiver if they can prove their record is a consequence of the abuse they endured.

Any other relevant information that can strengthen your case. Additional information goes a long way to build your case and can make up for documents that you were unable to procure. It’s a good idea to work with a lawyer to collect evidence for your case and gather additional documentation to strengthen your petition.
WE CAN HELP YOU COLLECT EVIDENCE FOR YOUR CASE. CALL US TODAY.

Working with an attorney during the VAWA Process

Although you do not need an attorney to file any USCIS petition, it is strongly advised to hire legal counseling before you start any immigration process. The VAWA process is particularly delicate and challenging as the petitioners are in a vulnerable situation and their safety may be compromised if their abuser finds out about their VAWA self-petition.

An attorney can help you gather the evidence you need for your case without your abuser finding out. They can also help you take extra measures to protect yourself and your loved ones from retaliation should the abuser find out, and they can hold on to your documents and receive your USCIS mail on your behalf.

Put an end to abuse

Domestic abuse is an awful thing to endure. Immigrant victims often stay with their abusers out of fear of what will happen to them if they leave. But you don’t have to stay in an unsafe and violent situation. You can get your green card without your abuser, and without exposing yourself to further violence during the process.

The VAWA immigration process was created for people like you. The Law Office of Shelle-Ann Simon has helped several clients file their VAWA petition and we have seen them through the process from start to finish. We are based in Houston, Texas, and are fluent in both English and Spanish.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let us help you find your way out.
START WORKING ON YOUR VAWA SELF-PETITION TODAY