According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are a number of resources available to assist immigrants who are subjected to domestic violence. In Miami, Florida, and across the U.S., victims can receive women’s shelter services and other forms of assistance. However, those who obtained permanent residence through marriage may wonder how splitting up with their spouse could affect their resident status.
On their website, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states that victims of domestic violence are able to have conditions on marriage-based permanent residence status removed, even if they have been married for less than two years. For example, if someone tied the knot in good faith and the permanent resident or U.S. citizen they were married to subjected them to extreme hardship or they were battered, they can apply to have the conditions on permanent residence removed.
However, domestic violence victims who have already divorced their spouse must submit an application to have these conditions removed before they have left the U.S. Additionally, they must prove that being removed from America would result in significant hardship. By successfully satisfying all requirements, some victims can look forward to a brighter future.
When a conditional resident wishes to have their conditions removed, it is crucial for them to understand and take care of their responsibilities in a timely manner. Furthermore, those who have experienecd domestic violence should not feel as if they are force to stay in a toxic marriage because they are afraid that they will have to leave the country.