The most common questions in most legal platforms revolve around knowing the right time to get an attorney for a case. In the case of petitioning for a VAWA visa, you’d want to have the perfect VAWA attorney in your corner—however, the question of when arises again.
VAWA cases are very sensitive. So, a good way to approach it is to know when to do everything. In today’s article, we’ve detailed everything you should know about hiring a VAWA attorney and when you should make the move. But before we jump in, let’s get the whole idea about what VAWA immigration is.
What is VAWA Immigration?
The acronym VAWA stands for Violence Against Women Act. This act, which was passed by Congress in 1994, exists to protect immigrant spouses and children suffering any domestic violence from the person they depend on. Although the name has the word women boldly written in it, it does not target only women. Abused male spouses and children can also benefit from the act.
Abuse can be physical, sexual, or psychological. You can refer to the US immigration website or our past articles to see abuses that qualify.
We’ve seen many instances where victims of abuse feel trapped because of their affiliation with the abuser. They often think their lack of proper immigration papers would mean instant deportation when they leave their abusive relations. But that’s not the case. There are avenues and resources available for you.
VAWA permits such people to sever ties with their abusers without deportation or any other legal penalties. A critical clause in this act is that it allows for self-petitioning. But does that take away the role of a VAWA attorney in your case? Absolutely not. You’ll still want the advice and legal services of an experienced VAWA attorney. But at what points do these services come in handy for you? We’ll find out.
When Should You Contact a VAWA Attorney
There are no set rules on when to hire a VAWA attorney. After all, the VAWA immigration act allows for self-petitioning. So, you can start the process from beginning to end without having a lawyer. However, since you’ve not had any experience before, should you hire one? Hiring an experienced VAWA attorney comes with loads of benefits. One of these benefits is the expertise they bring to the mix.
You can leverage this expertise to ensure you don’t make any mistakes during the process. Of course, you know how often the United States immigration laws can change. You don’t want to miss new clauses that will benefit you. A VAWA attorney is not only experienced in this kind of case, but they’re also constantly updating themselves on changing laws and regulations.
On the question of when you should hire a VAWA attorney, we’d say both before and after you start filing your petition. Here, let’s break down some of the times you’ll want a VAWA lawyer.
Before You Begin The Process
There’s no better time to contact an attorney than before you file for VAWA immigration. While the law is pretty straightforward, there are still instances where people apply and fail. Many legal experts recommend finding a VAWA lawyer before you begin the process. An experienced lawyer can tell you whether you have a case or not by simply listening to your story.
Besides, they know the next best step to position you in the right place to win your case. So, they’ll recommend how you should start while offering you customized advice that will help your case. An experienced VAWA lawyer can also tell you when you should file for a criminal case. Some abuses require that the perpetrator be brought to book. A VAWA lawyer will advise you on the right channels for it.
When You Need to Gather Supporting Evidence
Although some judges can accept less formal evidence for your case, they’ll still often require formal evidence. For example, they will require you to write some documents – especially declarations – as clearly and persuasively as possible. This is where a VAWA attorney comes in. They can help brainstorm ways to obtain documents and other evidence. They can also help you draft persuasive declarations that will put you in the driving seat for your case.
Moreover, an experienced immigration attorney can help you figure out when you’ve gathered enough evidence to support your case. If you’ve not had enough evidence to convince the judge, the attorney can tell.
There’s also the issue of securing your official documents, which is quite difficult for an abused victim. The last thing you want is for your abuser to confiscate available evidence or blackmail you into not using them. A VAWA attorney can help keep your documents secure so that they can be readily available when you need to present them.
During Court Proceedings
The job of a VAWA attorney requires them to stand by you throughout the VAWA application process. They can shield you from your abuser’s wrath by receiving notices from the USCIS on your behalf. They will also request documents and information on your behalf so that you won’t have anything to do with your abuser.
The Coleman Law Group Can Help You
In the end, it boils down to what you want. An experienced VAWA attorney has all the tools to help you succeed, but you should be careful during selection. At the Coleman Law Group, we have a team of top professionals who can help you fight to win your VAWA case. We’ll stand by you from start to finish, ensuring that the process is as smooth and seamless as possible. Contact us now!