Abused Spouses, Children and Parents - USCIS

"With the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) and its subsequent reauthorizations, Congress provided non-citizens who have been abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative the ability to independently petition for themselves (self-petition) for immigrant classification without the abuser’s knowledge, consent, or participation in the immigration process. This allows victims to seek both safety and independence from their abusers.

Spouses and children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older, may file a self-petition for immigrant classification with USCIS. An alien filing the self-petition is generally known as a VAWA self-petitioner."