Husband is physically abusing his wife, noted with pics, police reports, and clinic vidits

[malcriada24 0]

A friend of mine went to California to be were her husband after he applied to bring her. She currently does not have work permit and permanent residency is pending. He has become physically abusive over the past three months and she don't know what to do. She's called police, took pics of abuse, went to doctor. He's taken her Moroccan passport, her I'd, and is threatening to withdraw immigration papers to control her. Anyone have any advice?

[RJandHamid 1,128]

First of all, try to get her to a safe place.

 

If he does withdraw the immigration documents, she can self petition through VAWA. Make sure she keeps all of the evidence of abuse. 

https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/battered-spouse-children-parents

 

VAWA thread on VisaJourney: 

 

Edited September 27, 2017 by RJandHamid

[Unlockable 7,306]

Her safety is the first priority. Plan to help her leave that toxic environment. When it comes to abusive relationships you may have to be strategic about it (example: have her move out while he is away at work).

 

Tell her not to worry about any threats from him regarding immigration. Read up on VAWA on the site. @RJandHamid gave you a good lead.

 

 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Moved to Effects of Major Family Changes, from Bringing Family of Permanent Residents - As similar threads are discussed here.~~

[Ontarkie 13,915]

You posted in a forum about permanent residents bringing their spouses.  Is her husband a permanent resident? Did she enter the US with a spousal visa? 

 

If she came in on a spousal visa then her passport would have a stamp (temporary green card) in it. She does not need a work permit either if she came in with a spousal visa. No need to file for VAWA as she would already have her GC. 

Find out what visa she entered on and when he is gone toss the house to find that passport then leave. She can even call the police to be there to make sure he doesn't show up while she searches for it. If she feels like she needs to leave asap get her out and come back with the police. 

[Sandra G. 5,016]

She should leave him  asap. If she doesn't have a a place to stay she can stay in a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

 

She should not tell him that she is leaving, but because he is holding her passaport and ID she can call the cops and tell them this and probably he will be intimidated by the police and he will give her the documents. SHE can ask the cops to take her to a shelter for victims of DV as well. She should not call the cops in front of him because he can retaliate. 

 

As far I understood she came to the U.S with CR1 visa or K1 visa, if she  came with CR1then she is already a resident  permanent  of the U.S and she doesn't need to file VAWA, but if she came with K1 visa then she can file Vawa.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

she needs to call police and when they come, tell them to make him give back personal items and ask police to help her pack her clothes and be taken by them to a shelter

there are many organizations in front of phone book to help with domestice violence

 

this is a site for domestice violence hot lines in California

 

https://www.fullerton.edu/universityblues/dating_violence/docs/DVCA Hotline List.pdf