Congress Extends Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
On Thursday, March 7, 20123, President Obama signed a bipartisan bill to re-authorize the Violence Against Women Act, (VAWA), which expired in September 2011. President Obama heralded the legislation as a “victory” for domestic violence victims.
The renewed legislation provides $659 million dollars in federal funding over five (5) years for VAWA programs. It also expands VAWA to: (1) include new protections for LGBT and Native American victims of domestic violence; (2) give more attention to sexual assault prevention; and (3) help reduce a backlog in processing rape kits.
VAWA Basics
Recognizing that some abused non-citizens stay in abusive relationships because their spouses are able to control their immigration status in the U.S., Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. Under its major provision, an abused spouse or child of a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident can self-petition for lawful status in the United States.