Esteban Cabezas appealed to USCIS AAO a denial of a VAWA self-petition by the USCIS Vermont Service Center. The amicus argued that USCIS misapplied the any credible evidence standard by describing his evidence as not satisfactory because it was unclear. The amicus argued that extreme cruelty was present and that USCIS erroneously rejected evidence of good faith marriage. This case raises important issues about the any credible evidence standard to be applied in VAWA self-petitioning cases and on immigration related abuse and the role this abuse plays as part of a pattern of extreme cruelty (AAO Oct. 2, 2023).
Amicus Briefs, Case law, Child welfare, abuse and neglect, Domestic Violence & Dynamics, Parental Rights, Sexual Assault & Dynamics, VAWA 1994, VAWA Self-Petition