U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new guidance aimed at restoring integrity to the VAWA domestic abuse program. The update follows a sharp rise in suspicious filings and confirmed fraud cases. Here are the updated VAWA green card rules.
Sharp increase in VAWA green card petitions
Between 2020 and 2024, VAWA self-petitions increased by about 360 percent. During the same period, filings from male applicants rose by 259 percent.
USCIS officials said these increases are unprecedented. The agency also reported a dramatic shift in who is filing.
More parents filing for VAWA
Parents filing VAWA petitions increased by more than 2,200 percent over four years. This group has not historically made up a significant share of VAWA applicants.
Although the legal requirements for VAWA have not changed in years, filing patterns changed rapidly after 2020. USCIS said the growth far exceeded normal immigration trends.
Officials warned that misuse of the program causes major delays. These delays hurt survivors with legitimate domestic abuse claims.
USCIS updates VAWA policy manual
To address the problem, USCIS updated its Policy Manual to clarify how officers review VAWA cases. The goal is to prevent abuse while protecting eligible survivors.
The updated guidance explains existing legal standards in more detail. It also simplifies evidence requirements to reduce unnecessary delays.
USCIS reaffirmed that officers have full discretion to decide what evidence is credible. This authority comes directly from federal immigration law.
The new policy also requires applicants to have lived with the alleged abuser during the qualifying relationship. Petitioners must now provide stronger proof that a marriage was entered in good faith.
In addition, step-relationship claims now require evidence that the abusive relationship continued after a death in the family. This applies to cases involving parents or children.
USCIS said the changes align the program with congressional intent.
The guidance also reflects lessons learned from recent fraud prosecutions.
The updated rules apply to all VAWA cases filed or still pending on or after December 22, 2025. Applicants and attorneys are encouraged to review the changes carefully.
USCIS also urged the public to report suspected immigration fraud. Reports can be submitted through the agency’s official tip form.
Contact a VAWA attorney
At the Immigration Office of Serah Waweru, we understand how such sudden changes to USCIS policies can impact your immigration petition. If you or a loved one needs legal guidance, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced VAWA green card lawyer.
