ANG green card ay maaaring makuha sa pamamagitan ng petition ng isang asawanag US citizen (USC). Subalit may mga pagkakataon na may karahasan na ginagawa ang USC sa kanyang asawang dayuhan at ang dayuhan ay nagtitiis at nananatili sa kasal dahil sa kanyang immigration status. Ang petition sa ilalim ng Violence Against Women Act o VAWA ang maaaring maging solusyon ng dayuhan. Ang dayuhan ay maaaring mag-VAWA self-petition kung kanyang maipapakita na siya ay may good faith marriage sa asawang USC, at noong kasal, siya ay napailalim sa mga pang-aabuso o kalupitan sa kamay ng USC. Kinakailangan ding ipakita ng dayuhan na sila ng USC ay nagsama bilang mag-asawa, at ang dayuhan ay may good moral character. Ang dayuhan na may divorce decree na sa USC ay maaari pa ring mag-VAWA self petition kung itong self-petition ay kanyang ifile sa USCIS sa loob ng dalawang taon mula sa petsa ng divorce decree.
Maipapakita ang kalupitan kung ang dayuhan ay biktima ng mga akto ng karahasan, pagbabanta ng karahasan, mga pisikal o mental na pinsala, sikologikal na pang-aabuso, abusong sekswal tulad ng panggagahasa, pagmomolestya o prostitusyon. May mga pang-aabuso rin na maaaring isaalang-alang bilang karahasan tulad ng pang-aabusong emosyonal dahil ito ay parte ng kabuoang karahasan. Ang mga pang-aabuso, kalupitan o karahasan ay kailangang ginawa ng USC sa dayuhang asawa at ang mga ito ay dapat naganap noong sila ay kasal pa at nagsasama pa bilang mag-asawa.
Ang VAWA self-petition ay kailangang may kasamang edidensya ng citizenship ng USC at ebidensya ng good faith marriage. Ang pangunahing ebidensya ng kasal ay ang marriage certificate. Ang good faith marriage ay maipapakita sa pamamagitan ng mga dokumento tulad ng insurance policies, lease agreements, tax returns, bank accounts, at mga testimonya tungkol sa panliligaw, kasal at pagsasama ng mag-asawa. Mabuti ring ebidensya ng good faith marriage ang birth certificate ng mga anak, mga dokumento galing sa police, doctor at korte at mga sinumpaang salaysay ng mga taong may kaalaman tungkol sa relasyon ng mag-asawa.
* * *
One of the most common ways to get a green card is through a petition based on marriage to a US citizen (USC). Unfortunately, there are times when there is abuse perpetrated during the marriage by the USC spouse and the alien feels that he or she is forced to stay with the USC spouse because of immigration status. Under the provisions of VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), there are legal remedies which permit victims of domestic violence to legalize their status independent of their USC abusers. An alien who is the spouse of a USC may self-petition for immigrant classification under VAWA if the alien demonstrates that he or she entered into the marriage with the USC spouse in good faith and that during the marriage, the alien was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty perpetrated by the USC spouse. In addition, the alien must show that he or she resided with the USC abusive spouse, and the alien is a person of good moral character. An alien who has divorced an abusive USC may still petition under VAWA within 2 years from the divorce.
An alien may be considered as battered by or subject of extreme cruelty if the alien is victim of any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention, which results or threatens to result in physical or mental injury. Psychological or sexual abuse or exploitation, including rape, molestation, or prostitution are also considered acts of violence. The qualifying abuse must have been committed by the USC spouse, must have been perpetrated against the self-petitioner and must have taken place during the self-petitioner’s marriage to the USC spouse abuser.
A self-petition filed by the abused spouse must be accompanied by evidence of citizenship of the USC spouse abuser and evidence of the marriage. Evidence of good faith marriage may include, but is not limited to, proof that one spouse has been listed on insurance polies, property leases, income tax forms, or bank accounts; and testimonies or other evidence regarding courtship, wedding ceremony, shared residences and experiences. Other types of evidence include birth certificates of children born to the marriage, police, medical or court documents providing information about the relationship; and affidavits of persons with personal knowledge of the relationship. Evidence of abuse may include, but is not limited to, reports and affidavits from police, judges and other court officials, medical personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers, and other social service agency personnel.
* * *
ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM
3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Call or text us: (213) 381.5710
Email us: [email protected].
