Annotated Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition Definition INA 101(a)(51) (October 31, 2021) [pdf]

This annotated statute guides readers through the various types of immigration relief available for immigrants who were subjected to battering or extreme cruelty by their spouses, former spouses, parents, children, and step-parents who were U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) , Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA), and Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) applicants, or recipients. Note that NACARA applicants may be El Salvadoran, Guatemalan, or from a list of countries in Eastern Europe. This definition of VAWA self-petitioner is relevant for immigration relief, public benefits and VAWA confidentiality purposes.