New York VAWA Lawyer

Violence Against Women Act Attorney Representing Noncitizens in the New York Metro Area

Navigating the U.S. immigration system becomes exponentially more difficult when facing domestic abuse. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a critical lifeline, allowing certain survivors to self-petition for legal status without the knowledge or consent of their abuser. 

Ureña & Associates delivers compassionate, strategic representation designed to help you safely regain control of your life. Because our firm exclusively practices immigration law, we offer the experience necessary to guide you through highly sensitive self-petitions carefully. We take on the heavy lifting of gathering evidence and filing complex legal paperwork so you can focus entirely on your safety and your future. 

Founded in 2017, our firm dedicates its practice entirely to immigration law, giving us the deep focus necessary to handle these highly sensitive situations. Backed by experience guiding over 30,000 clients and a staff fluent in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Portuguese, we build customized strategies in a secure, comfortable environment. 

To get started with a Violence Against Women Act attorney in New York, call (845) 932-0679 or contact us online today.

VAWA I-360 Petition: Immigration Relief for Domestic Violence Survivors

Survivors of domestic violence often feel trapped when an abusive partner controls their immigration status. By filing an I-360 petition, the spouses, children, and parents of abusive citizens or permanent residents can seek legal status independently.

You do not need to face this daunting procedure alone. We can help you collect necessary evidence, such as police reports and medical records, to establish your eligibility without putting you in harm's way. 

We offer focused legal services for many people, including:

• Abused spouses. Husbands and wives seeking to escape abusive marriages and pursue permanent residency independently.
• Abused children. Unmarried children under 21 who have suffered abuse from a citizen or resident parent. Filing after 21 is sometimes still possible when the abuse itself caused the delay.
• Abused parents. Parents facing abuse from their adult citizen children.

The Self-Petition Process in New York

Filing a VAWA self-petition is a strict, multi-step legal procedure. We can manage these filings safely and confidentially. 

We guide you through every phase of the process, which generally includes: 

• Filing Form I-360. The process begins by submitting a self-petition (Form I-360) to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. We compile all required evidence, including proof of your qualifying relationship, joint residence, good moral character, and the abuse suffered.
• Establishing a Prima Facie case. After an initial review, USCIS often issues a Prima Facie determination. This official notice signifies that your petition meets the basic legal requirements and can often be used to access certain public assistance and benefits while your case is pending.
• Securing work authorization. Upon approval of your self-petition, you may become eligible for an Employment Authorization Document. This allows you to legally work in the United States, a critical step toward financial independence.
• Adjusting your status. The ultimate goal of a self-petition is often permanent residency. Depending on your abuser's legal status, we can file your green card application (Form I-485) either concurrently with your I-360 or as soon as a visa number becomes available.

We handle the heavy lifting of these rigid government filings so you can focus entirely on your healing and your future.

Keeping Your Case Private & Secure

Confidentiality is built into the self-petition process itself. Federal law restricts what the government may disclose about a VAWA filing and bars officers from relying on information supplied by an abuser to reach an adverse decision. 

Our office adds practical layers on top of that protection, agreeing in advance on how and when we may contact you, where correspondence should be sent, and what to do if reaching us safely becomes difficult.

We also understand that leaving is rarely a single decision made on a single day. You are welcome to meet with an attorney before you have decided anything at all, at our Brooklyn office at no cost or by video for a fee if being seen at a law office presents a risk. 

Nothing obligates you to file, and knowing what protections exist often matters long before you are ready to use them. Call (845) 932-0679 or contact us online to schedule your case consultation with a New York VAWA lawyer.