This week, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, it is important to note the benefits this law has given to immigrant women experiencing domestic violence. In my law practice, I have used the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as a vehicle to assist clients in seeking legal status in the United States away from abusive spouses.
At the end of last month, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision holding that women from Guatemala who came to the United States to flee domestic violence could seek asylum as victims of persecution based on their particular social group. This decision opens another avenue to women fleeing abuse, particularly those who might not qualify to apply for legal status under the Violence Against Women Act.
