Listening Session: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invited you to participate in a listening session on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern on the VAWA Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, self-petition program administered by USCIS.

The purpose of the listening session is for stakeholders to provide feedback on the VAWA self-petition program. VAWA amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow certain abused spouses and children of lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens, as well as parents of U.S. citizens, to file a petition for themselves (self-petition) without the abuser's knowledge, consent, or participation in the immigration process. This allows victims to seek both safety and independence from their abuser.