In late 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service released updated guidance concerning the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) program, which provides specific immigration benefits to survivors of domestic abuse. This policy revision was prompted by the agency’s observation of notable and unprecedented filing trends. Between fiscal years 2020 and 2024, there was an approximate 360% increase in total Form I-360 VAWA self-petitions, with male self-petitioners rising by 259%. Through clarifying policies and requirements for individuals submitting VAWA self-petitions, the agency aims to enhance program integrity, address potential fraud, and administer the VAWA program in accordance with Congressional intent.
Although the eligibility criteria for a VAWA self-petition have remained unchanged for several years, recent filing trends have become concerning. Historically, the annual volume of VAWA self-petitions aligned with the growth rates of other immigration benefits. However, beginning in 2020, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of VAWA petitions received. This surge has been accompanied by notable shifts in the demographics of applicants. In addition to the previously mentioned rise in male self-petitioners, there was a 2,239% increase in parents submitting VAWA self-petitions from fiscal year 2020 to 2024. These groups have not traditionally comprised the primary population of VAWA filers.
Misuse of the VAWA program by individuals without qualifying status leads to substantial processing delays, adversely affecting survivors with valid claims. Maintaining the integrity of both the immigration system and the VAWA program remains a priority, ensuring it serves women and other eligible survivors of abuse effectively.
This policy update reflects the agency’s continued commitment to address evolving filing patterns and recent fraud convictions associated with the VAWA program. It is enhancing policy guidance to ensure consistency with statutory and regulatory requirements established by Congress, while equipping its officers with the necessary resources to support informed decision-making. For instance, this revised guidance:
– Codifies long-standing practices and gives a more detailed explanation of the provisions of VAWA that apply to USCIS adjudications;
– Streamlines the expectations of submitted evidence to reduce the need for requests for evidence or notices of intent to deny;
– Reinforces the statutory mandate under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 204(a)(1)(J) that the determination of what evidence is credible and what weight to give that evidence is within the sole discretion of USCIS;
– Revises policy to require that the self-petitioner reside with the abuser during the qualifying relationship;
– Requires self-petitioners to establish they entered a good-faith marriage with the alleged abuser by providing primary evidence of the marital relationship; and
– Amends the policy on the termination of a step relationship when either the biological or legal parent or the child dies, by requiring the self-petitioner to provide evidence that their relationship with the surviving abusive parent or child continues after filing.