O’Melveny Helps Domestic Violence Survivor Obtain Permanent Residency

An O’Melveny team obtained permanent residency for a longtime pro bono client who was abused by her husband. The client’s husband, a US citizen, had been physically and emotionally abusive, and had refused to sponsor his wife’s green-card application. He also repeatedly threatened to call ICE on her and have her deported from the US—even though the couple has a young child together.

Under the terms of the Violence Against Women Act, O’Melveny filed a petition for permanent residency on the client’s behalf. The firm’s attorneys acted under a special provision of the Violence Against Women Act that allows victims of spousal abuse to obtain permanent residency even if their US citizen spouse does not sponsor the petition.

After years of waiting and delays, the woman finally received permanent residency in January 2022. As a permanent resident, she can begin building a better life for herself and her child and will be eligible for citizenship in three years. She is extremely grateful for O’Melveny’s life-changing efforts on her behalf.