Understanding Your Immigration Rights as a Survivor of Domestic Violence

Zuhra Aziz
16 hours ago
4 min read

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Quick Summary: If you're experiencing domestic violence, know that you have rights and you can safely report the abuse without risking deportation. Legal protections, like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the U visa, allow you to apply for legal status independently, safely, and confidentially.

Key Points:

Your safety comes first. Call 911 if you are in danger, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) for support.
You can apply for VAWA protection without involving your abuser.
U visas offer protections and opportunities to crime victims that help law enforcement.

You don’t have to face this alone. Contact us today at (470) 428-3200 to schedule a consultation with one of our Atlanta immigration attorneys. We will guide you safely and confidentially toward a secure future.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

📖 Standard Read

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and share vital information about protections available for immigrants experiencing abuse. Attorney Zuhra Aziz from Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group explains important rights and immigration pathways that many survivors don't realize they have.

At Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group, we understand that fear and uncertainty can make it hard to ask for help, but you deserve to live safely and freely. When you’re ready, contact us for a confidential consultation. Our experienced Atlanta immigration attorneys will listen, guide you with compassion, and protect your privacy every step of the way.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

Breaking the Silence: Your Immigration Status Doesn't Remove Your Rights

Many undocumented immigrants, or those dependent on an abuser's legal status, remain silent out of fear of deportation or retaliation. This silence can leave individuals trapped in dangerous situations.

Fortunately, protections like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the U visa allow you to report your abuse, seek help, and apply for legal status on your own – without your abuser’s knowledge or involvement. Immigration authorities will not share your information with your abuser.

For more information about options for victims of violence, visit our blog VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa: Separating Fact from Fiction

VAWA: Your Path to Independence

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a confidential pathway to legal status for individuals abused by a US citizen or permanent resident. Despite its name, VAWA protects people of all genders and includes spouses, parents, and children.

Through VAWA, eligible survivors can self-petition without their abuser's knowledge, cooperation, or consent. Even if your abuser has threatened deportation or withheld your immigration paperwork, you can still pursue legal status independently.

U Visa: Protection Beyond Family Relationships

If you don't qualify for VAWA, the U visa offers another avenue for safety. This protection extends to anyone who has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse due to criminal activity and who assists law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of their abuser.

Unlike VAWA, the U visa doesn't require a family relationship with the abuser, making it accessible to victims of workplace abuse, stalking, assault, or other serious crimes.

For more information about the U visa, visit our blog post U Visa Eligibility, Processing Time, Work Permits and Travel.

No One Deserves to Live in Fear – A&C is Here for You

If you're in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 support, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233).

When you're ready to explore your immigration options, our Atlanta immigration lawyers at Antonini & Cohen will be ready to give you the support and guidance you need to secure a safer and legal future.

Contact Antonini & Cohen today at (470) 428-3200 to schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced immigration attorneys.

At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

📚 Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Zuhra Aziz, an attorney at the Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I'd like to speak directly to anyone out there who has been a victim of abuse and is afraid to speak up because of their immigrant status.

If you are undocumented or you depend on someone with legal status – like a spouse, parent, or an adult child – and you’re being abused, know this: you have rights, and your safety comes first.

Many people stay silent about the abuse that they have faced out of fear that their report will lead to deportation. They also fear the abuser will find out, and they will face retaliation. Know this, there are laws within the United States that will protect you.

One of those laws is VAWA, or the Violence Against Women Act. Under VAWA, if you are an immigrant who has faced abuse by a US citizen or a Green Card holder, you can apply for your own immigrant status without the knowledge or consent of the abuser. Even if the abuser has threatened to deport you or to control your paperwork. This allows you to seek protection independently and without the help of the abuser.

Another option is the U visa. The U visa is an option for individuals who have faced a crime in the United States, including domestic violence, and who have reported it to the police and cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation and/or prosecution of the crime. The U visa does not require the victim to have a formal relationship with the abuser. It also does not require for the abuser to have been a US citizen or a Green Card holder. No one deserves to live in fear. If you are in danger, call 911.

If you're facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for assistance.

When you’re ready to talk about your immigration options, reach out to Antonini & Cohen. We will guide you confidently and with compassion. At Antonini & Cohen, we know how. We fight harder.

Resources

Zuhra Aziz is an associate attorney at Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group, where she is deeply committed to helping clients navigate family-based and humanitarian immigration matters with skill and compassion. With a background in public interest law and experience working with organizations that support refugees and asylum seekers, she is passionate about expanding access to justice and helping immigrants find safety and stability in the United States.