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Original Date Announced
December 22, 2025USCIS issued a policy alert (PA-2025-33) updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify policies and requirements for noncitizens seeking classification as a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner.
Updates to the Manual include:
- Requiring a self-petitioner to establish he or she entered into a good faith marriage with the alleged abuser by providing primary evidence of the marital relationship;
- Clarifying evidentiary requirements;
- Clarifying current USCIS application of statutory bars for fraudulent marriages;
- Clarifying how USCIS considers the "battery and extreme cruelty" and "good moral character" requirements;
- Revising policy to require that the self-petitioner reside with the abuser during the qualifying relationship; and
- Amending the policy relating to the termination of a step-relationship upon death of either the biological or legal parent or child such that the self-petitioner must provide evidence that the relationship with the surviving abusive parent or child continues after filing.
The guidance is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after the publication date.
Trump 2.0 [ID #2146]
2025.12.22 USCIS Policy Alert 2025-33 - VAWA 2025.12.22 USCIS Updated Policy Manual - Vol. 3 Part DEffective Date
December 22, 2025Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Actions: Agency Directive Change in PracticeSubject Matter: U/T/VAWAAgencies Affected: USCISPre Trump-Era Policies
- October 20, 2025 2025.10.20 USCIS Policy Manual - Vol. 3 Part D
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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New Policy
Original Source:
2025.12.22 USCIS Policy Alert 2025-33 - VAWA
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New Policy
Original Source:
USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 3 Pt. D - Violence Against Women Act
- Prior Policy
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