Chapter 7 in Empowering Survivors: Legal Rights of Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault. This chapter provides practical tips for filing a self-petition and apply for lawful permanent residency under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) as revised in 2005.
Immigration > Any Credible Evidence
Topic: Any Credible Evidence
Materials regarding any credible evidence for immigration.
[pdf] Perales v. Ashcroft (2003) US Court of Appeals 10th Circuit (+)
Perales v. Ashcroft, U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit (2003). Legal Momentum, represented by National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, BIA, Arnold and Porter, submitted this amicus brief discussing the any credible evidence standard and the definition of battery or extreme cruelty in an immigrant victim’s Violence Against Women Act suspension of deportation case.
[pdf] Rosario v. Holder (May 10 2010) US Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit (+)
Rosario v. Holder (May 10 2010) US Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit. National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women respectfully moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure for 29 for leave to file an amicus brief in support of Appellant Josefa Rosario. Client placed in removal proceedings, concedes removability and applies for VAWA Cancellation of Removal. IJ denies cancellation based on finding that there is not substantial evidence of battery to the extent envisioned by the statute and not substantial evidence of extreme hardship. BIA affirms IJ. The decision was wrong because the IJ ignored an analysis of extreme cruelty completely and even though Ms. Rosario and her witness were found to be credible – focused on the lack of police reports and medical records – thereby holding her to a standard higher than the any credible evidence standard. Battery and extreme cruelty are non-discretionary determinations that can be reviewed by that court. Ms. Rosario has now filed brief with 2nd Circuit.
[pdf] Kewan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (2005) (+)
Kewan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (2005). Amicus brief discussing research data and the dynamics of domestic violence against male victims and VAWA’s gender neutrality offering protection to both male and female victims. (Northwest Immigrant Rights Project)
[pdf] How to Apply for Fee Waivers (May 19, 2023) (+)
Fee waivers assist immigrant survivors facing hardships in filing for relief by waiving filing fees that may be preventing immigrant survivors from receiving immigration relief. This publication reviews which immigration forms are exempt and/or eligible for fee waivers, how to apply for a fee waiver, and best practices for filing fee waivers with other immigration […]
[pdf] Pages 62-67 FOIA BSW Response RFEs and Any Credible Evidence (October 16, 2014) (+)
Memos and emails spelling out the approach to requests for further evidence that should be used by USCIS field offices in their adjudications of battered spouse waiver cases. These also address the VAWA any credible evidence rules application in battered spouse waiver cases.
[pdf] Development, History, and Legislative Purpose of VAWA’s “Any Credible Evidence” Statutory Requirements (April 29, 2009) (+)
This memo submitted to DHS tracks the legislative history of VAWA’s any credible evidence statute.
[pdf] Immigration and Naturalization Housekeeping Amendments Hearing (May 20, 1992) (+)
Hearings on the Immigration and Naturalization Housekeeping Amendments Act of 1992 that includes statements from members of the House of Representatives on the need for creation of the Battered Spouse Waiver, a discussion with questions and answers among members of the House Judiciary Committee about the Battered Spouse Waiver, and the full record of testimony provided and statements submitted regarding reforms needed that the Battered Spouse Waiver addressed. This legislative history address both the Battered Spouse Waiver and the need for reforms that became VAWA’s any credible evidence rules.
[pdf] Unconditional Safety for Conditional Immigrant Women (January 31, 1996) (+)
Article detailing the legislative history of family based immigration in the United States, the marriage fraud act amendments in 1986, battered spouse waivers in 1990, VAWA self petitioning in 1994, the VAWA any credible evidence rules of 1994, and the need for VAWA confidentiality that became law in 1996.
[pdf] A License to Abuse: The Impact of Conditional Status on Female Immigrants (April 1, 1993) (+)
This article discusses the need for immigration protections for abused immigrant spouses, the legislative history of the Marriage Fraud Act Amendments, the Battered Spouse Waiver, problems with Battered Spouse Waiver regulations, the need for and legislative history of the VAWA self-petition, and the need for VAWA’s any credible evidence rules.
[pdf] Legal Issues Confronting Conditional Residents Aliens Who Are Victims of Domestic Violence: Past, Present and Future Perspectives (1995) (+)
Article discusses the legislative history and implementation of the Battered Spouse Waiver, the problems with the regulations developed to implement the program, and the legislative solutions that were being developed in 1994 to address these problems. This includes a discussion of the creation of VAWA’s any credible evidence rules and the need for the VAWA self-petition. The article documents the legislative history of the Battered Spouse Waiver, the VAWA self-petition, VAWA’s any credible evidence rules and describes the need for what ultimately became VAWA’s confidentiality protections.
[pdf] With No Place to Turn: Improving Legal Advocacy for Battered Immigrant Women (July 1, 1995) (+)
This article provides an overview of immigrant battered women’s legal rights and options in 1995. It discusses the VAWA self-petition, battered spouse waiver, VAWA’s new any credible evidence rules, as well as protection orders, language access, and preventing parental kidnapping.
[pdf] Statement of Lelsye Orloff and Ellen Lawton, Ayuda and William Tamayo, Asian Law Caucus, Immigration and Naturalization Housekeeping Amendments of 1992, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives (May 20, 1992) (+)
Legislative history of the Battered spouse waiver amendments included in VAWA 1994 and creation of the VAWA any credible evidence rules. Statement of Lelsye Orloff and Ellen Lawton, Ayuda and William Tamayo, Asian Law Caucus, Immigration and Naturalization Housekeeping Amendments of 1992, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives (May 20, 1992)
*Evidence Checklists For Work With Immigrant Survivors (February 11, 2017)
NIWAP has developed a number of checklists that assist attorneys and advocates working with immigrant survivors to prepare for a variety of legal cases on behalf of immigrant survivors. Some of the following checklists are geared toward preparing to accompany a victim who will be applying for state or federal public benefits that the victim […]
[pdf] Interim Guidance on Verification of Citizenship, Qualified Alien Status and Eligibility Under Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (November 17, 1997) (+)
Department of Justice Guidance, issued in 1997 implementing 1996 laws (The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act -PRWORA and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act IIRAIRA) that together govern immigrant access to federal and state public benefits. These interim guidance have remained in effect since 1997. Although a proposed rule was published in 1998, that proposed rule was never promulgated or finalized. As a result these interim guidance continue to govern regarding the application process for public benefits for immigrants and at what point in the process benefits application process and under what circumstances are state and federal public benefits granting agencies authorized to contact DHS regarding immigration status eligibility for public benefits purposes. The interim guidance contains detailed information on public benefits eligibility for battered immigrants in Attachment 5 Exhibit B which also discusses the battered immigrant deeming exception, abused step-child eligibility for VAWA suspension of deportation and cancellation of removal; and discusses applying the “any credible evidence” standard to prove battery or extreme cruelty. It is important to note that the old fax based system for verification for battered immigrants has been replaced by the SAVE system which has special rules for how verification is conducted in cases of abused immigrants and immigrant crime victims to protect VAWA confidentiality.
[pdf] Comparing Forms of Immigration Relief for Immigrant Victims of Crime (+)
This chart has been developed as a tool to help advocates, attorneys, judges, law enforcement and other professionals to promote a basic understanding of how various forms of immigration relief available to help immigrant crime victims and children differ. The chart compares eligibility requirements, access to employment authorization and lawful permanent residency, and the application process.
[pdf] Defensa Para Mejorar Servicios Para Mujeres Emigrantes E Inmigrantes Maltratadas Que Viven En Comunidades Rurales (+)
Evidence Lists for VAWA self-petitioners in Spanish. Lista en español de documentos necesarios o útiles para un caso de inmigración para una auto-petición de víctima de violencia doméstica o maltrato cruel.
[pdf] Chapter 08: Immigration Relief for Child Sexual Assault Survivors (July 10, 2014) (+)
Chapter in Empowering Survivors: Legal Rights of Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault. This chapter provides basic information on various immigration remedies available to child survivors of sexual abuse and/or assault. This chapter will cover: (1) VAWA (“Violence Against Women Act”) self-petitioning; (2) VAWA cancellation of removal and suspension of deportation; (3) Special Immigrant Juvenile status (“SIJ”); (4) U-visas/interim relief; (5) T-visas; and (6) asylum.
[pdf] INS, Paul Virtue, “Extreme Hardship” and Documentary Requirements Involving Battered Spouses and Children (August 16, 1998) (+)
This INS memorandum discusses the unique factors that will be considered when determining “extreme hardship” and “extreme cruelty”. The memo also discusses the documentary requirements involving battered spouses and children under VAWA’s any credible evidence statutes that apply to battered spouse waiver and all VAWA immigration cases.
[pdf] DOJ Memorandum on the Implementation of Crime Bill Self-Petitioning for Abused or Battered Spouses or Children of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (April 16, 1996) (+)
DOJ Memorandum on the Implementation of Crime Bill Self-Petitioning for Abused or Battered Spouses or Children of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (April 16, 1996). This memo details the basic eligibility requirements for VAWA self-petitioning, adjustment of status, employment authorization, evidence in general, extreme hardship and battery and extreme cruelty. HQ 204-P
[pdf] Current State of VAWA and Trafficking Victim Protection Act Implementing Regulations and Policies (February 13, 2013) (+)
The following article provides an up-to-date list of VAWA statutory provisions for which no implementing regulations or policies have been issued. This list is followed by a consequent list of VAWA and Trafficking Victim
Protection Act (TVPA) regulations that were overruled by statute. This report ends with a list of
current regulations that do not reflect expansions of VAWA or TVPA protections that became
law subsequent to the issuance of the regulations.
[pdf] Somewhere to Turn (+)
A comprehensive manual covering topics such as: domestic violence and battered immigrant issues, cultural competency training, cross-cultural interviewing, recruiting and hiring multilingual and multicultural staff, shelter protocols, outreach and community collaboration, shelter access for battered immigrant women, VAWA immigration cases and victim advocacy confidentiality, creative use of protection orders, protections orders enforcement and criminal prosecution, access to public benefits, verification and reporting requirements under the U.S. Attorney General’s guidance and order, and model programs.
[pdf] Evidence Check List for Immigrant Victims Applying for VAWA Self-Petitioning (+)
The following is a list of the requirements that must be met by an applicant, and some suggestions of the type evidence that may be offered to meet each requirement for those applying for VAWA immigration case.
[pdf] Matter of Chawathe Memo (+)
A memorandum regarding the preponderance of the evidence standard of proof, in reference to Matter of Chawathe, a USCIS Adopted Decision.
[pdf] Offering a Helping Hand: Legal Protections for Battered Immigrant Women: A History of Legislative Responses (March 1, 2002) (+)
This article chronicles the legislative history of immigration protections afforded immigrant crime victims in the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) of 1994 and 2000, through the Battered Spouse Waiver, and through VAWA Confidentiality, the history and development of the VAWA self-petition, VAWA cancellation of removal, the battered spouse waiver, any credible evidence standard, VAWA confidentiality, benefits access for battered immigrant VAWA self-petitioners and cancellation/suspension applicants, the U-Visa, victim’s ability to obtain lawful permanent residency in the U.S. and Legal Services Corporation funded legal assistance are discussed in detail. This article collects and publishes information contained in documents developed during advocacy that led to the passage of federal immigration law legislation creating each of these protections.
[pdf] House Congressional Resolution on Custody and Domestic Violence H. CON. RES. 172 (October 26, 1990) (+)
Expressing the sense of the Congress that, for purposes of determining child custody, credible evidence of physical abuse of one’s spouse should create a statutory presumption that it is detrimental to the child to be placed in the custody of the abusive spouse.
[pdf] Mandatory U-visa Certification Unnecessarily Undermines the Purpose of the Violence Against Women Act’s Immigration Protections and Its “Any Credible Evidence” Rules – A Call for Consistency (September 10, 2010) (+)
This article discusses the development of immigration law’s “any credible evidence” standard of proof and its application in VAWA and TVPA related immigration cases. This article urges reforms in immigration law to remove U-visa certification as a mandatory prerequisite that bars many otherwise eligible immigrant crime victims from being able to access U-visa protections.