Battered Spouse Waivers, like VAWA self-petitions, were created by Congress to provide immigration relief for abused spouses of U.S. citizens and their children. Through the battered spouse waiver abused immigrant spouses can obtain full lawful permanent residency without having to remain in their abusive marriage for two years and without their abuser’s cooperation or knowledge. This free interactive webinar is open to attorneys, judges, victim advocates and other professionals who encounter abused immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens in their work.
This webinar will provide an overview of the battered spouse waiver, compare it to the VAWA self-petition and other waivers available to immigrant spouses. We will discuss best practices for applications, DHS adjudications, implications of battered spouse waivers for family court cases, VAWA confidentiality protections, and benefits access for battered spouse waiver applicants. Attendees will receive a full legislative history and Department of Homeland Security policies and information about the battered spouse waivers.
Faculty:
• Leslye Orloff, Director, National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project
• Veronica Thronson, Clinical Professor of Law & Director of the MSU Law Clinics, Michigan State University College of Law
• Judge Rosemary Collins, (Retired), 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Winnebago County, Rockford, Illinois