Individual-based Immigration

A foreign national who has been the victim of battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident family member may self-petition for permanent resident status (green card).  A VAWA self-petition can be submitted without the abusive family member’s knowledge or consent.  Your unmarried child under 21 years of age may also be eligible to apply for a green card if you are approved under VAWA and if you are not a parent of an abused U.S. citizen son or daughter.

The DACA policy was issued in June 2012 and enables some individuals who entered the U.S. as children and remained in the U.S. without legal status, to be eligible for renewable two-year removal protection and a work authorization card.  DACA does not provide legal status.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of specifically designated countries that are confronting an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. It provides a work authorization and stay of deportation to foreign nationals from those countries who are in the United States at the time the U.S. government makes the designation.

Every year, 50,000 green cards are reserved for immigrants from countries that have low rates of immigration to the United States under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. A diversity visa offers a quick path to a green card for immigrants and their immediate family members.