10 Feb 2022
USCIS Updates VAWA Policies (Feb. 10, 2022)
"...Through this publication, USCIS will begin to address some of the VAWA self-petition-related concerns that were raised in feedback received in stakeholder engagements. Further, this publication builds the framework for VAWA self-petitions guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual, facilitating future policy updates and clarifications. Specifically, this guidance changes the interpretation of the requirement for shared residence. USCIS no longer requires self-petitioners to currently reside or to have resided in the past with the abuser during the qualifying spousal or parent-child relationship. Instead, USCIS has updated its interpretation of the statute to require self-petitioners to demonstrate that they currently reside or have resided with the abuser at any time in the past when filing the self-petition. The other two changes implement the decisions in Da Silva v. Attorney General and Arguijo v. United States nationwide. ..."
