Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
DUI/DWI Defense
Federal Criminal Law
State Criminal Law
Sex Offenses
Drug Offenses
Immigration Law

Information Centers
Sex Offenses
Criminal Defense
Domestic Violence
Drug Offenses
DUI - DWI Defense
Immigration
Internet Crimes
Juvenile Defenses
Theft
White Collar

Houston Battered Spouse Attorney

Houston, Texas, Battered Spouse Petitions

A battered spouse or child may be eligible for an immigrant visa ("green card") if they have suffered abuse by a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. Under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA), the spouse may petition to obtain lawful permanent residency. The battered spouse or child may be in or out of status at the time they seek this relief.

At the Law Office of David A. Breston, we are experienced and qualified to help you and your children apply for permanent residency under the VAWA. If we don't feel we can help your situation, we'll tell you so right away or refer you to someone that can, so that your time and money won't be wasted. To set up an appointment, contact the Law Office of David A. Breston today.

Eligibility Requirements for Battered Spouse Petitions

The following requirements are the standards used by INS for reviewing a battered spouse petition:

• The petitioner is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or is filing within two years of the divorce and demonstrates a connection between the termination of the marriage and the battering or extreme cruelty of the spouse
  
  
• She possesses good moral character
  
  
• She is eligible to be classified as an immediate relative
  
  
• She has resided with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse
  
  
• She entered into the marriage in good faith (i.e., not as a sham for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits)
  
  
• She was battered or was the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or intended spouse

For further information about battered spouse petitions, please contact David A. Breston, Attorney at Law today.