Visa Lawyer Blog
New changes are being implemented for certain self-petitioners filing immigration petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, also known as VAWA.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that beginning in December they will be conducting in-person interviews for select VAWA self-petitioners who have an I-360 and I-485 application pending.
Not all self-petitioners will be required to attend an interview. Self-petitioners who have filed a stand-alone I-360 will not be interviewed.
USCIS expects to continue to adjudicate the majority of VAWA cases without the need for an interview.
Why has this change been made?
An increase in the volume of immigration petitions filed under the VAWA program, along with a surge in VAWA-related fraud reported in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland has led to this policy change.
While no plans are currently being made to expand interviews to a broader pool of VAWA self-petitioners, the incoming Trump administration may consider this in the future.
How will I know if I am required to attend an in-person interview?
VAWA self-petitioners who are required to attend an interview, will receive an interview notice by mail at the safe address they have provided. Legal representatives will also be notified by mail.
Please note that a self-petitioner’s selection for an interview is not a negative indicator and does not suggest a case will receive an unfavorable outcome.