VAWA Green Cards for Parents: A Complete Guide

At Brudner Law, we know how difficult it can be when a parent faces mistreatment or abuse from their own adult child. Many families don’t realize that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) offers protections not only for spouses, but also for parents of abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident children. 

If you’ve experienced mistreatment or abuse, you may be able to apply for a green card without relying on the abuser. We’ve helped families across Orange County use this path to secure safety, independence, and stability.

Learn more about our family immigration services

Who Qualifies for a VAWA Green Card as a Parent

We work with parents who qualify if:

• You are the parent of a U.S. citizen child (age 21 or older) who has mistreated or abused you.
• Abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, or involve mistreatment or extreme cruelty.
• You can file regardless of your gender or marital status.

How VAWA Protects Parents

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Will my child know I filed?” The answer is no. VAWA petitions are confidential. In addition, the law offers several protections we guide parents through:

• You can file without your child’s knowledge or consent.
• You can apply for work authorization while your case is pending.
• Approved petitions open a path to permanent residency and safety .

See our full list of immigration services.

Steps to Apply for a VAWA Green Card as a Parent

When we prepare a case, we help clients:

1. Gather proof of relationship (birth certificates, adoption records).
2. Collect evidence of mistreatment or abuse (for example: medical records, therapist letters, witness statements, police records if such are available ).
3. File Form I-360 (VAWA self-petition) with supporting documents.
4. If approved, file Form I-485 to adjust status, if eligible.

Evidence That Strengthens Your Case

The strongest cases we’ve handled include multiple forms of evidence. Examples include:

• Written statements from you and people who witnessed the mistreatment or abuse.
• Reports from law enforcement, schools, or child protective services.
• Medical or counseling records that show harm.
• Photos, texts, emails, or letters that document mistreatment, threats or abuse.
  
  

Protecting Yourself During the Process

We always remind parents that their safety comes first. While your case is pending, you may also benefit from:

• VAWA confidentiality protections.
• Work authorization to help you stay financially stable.
• Emergency protective orders or safety planning if you remain at risk.

Read more about protections for survivors on USCIS.gov.

Common Questions We Hear from Parents

Will my abusive child find out about my petition? No, the process is confidential. They will not know unless you tell them.
Can I apply if the abuse happened years ago? Yes.
Can I include my other children? No, parents cannot add derivative children to their petition.
Can I be deported while my petition is pending? Filing a VAWA petition by itself does not provide protection from removal until the petition is approved, but it can provide you with potential options if you are placed in removal proceedings. 

Contact us today to discuss your specific case.

Safety First, Status Second

For parents mistreated or abused by their adult U.S. citizen children, VAWA offers a path to both safety and lawful status. At Brudner Law, we take pride in guiding families in Orange County and throughout the U.S with compassion and expertise through every step of this process. You don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to stand by your side.

Schedule a confidential consultation

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