Speech #1090100852

Consistent with these procedures. I recommend that the same specially trained unit that adjudicates VAWA selfpetitions. T and U visa applications. process the full range of adjudications. adjustments. and employment authorizations related to VAWA cases (including derivative beneficiaries) filed with DHS: VAWA petitions T and U visas. VAWA Cuban. VAWA NACARA (��202 or 203). and VAWA HRIFA petitions. 106 work authorization under section 814(c) of this Act). battered spouse waiver adjudications under 216(c)(4)(C). applications for parole of VAWA petitioners and their children and applications for children of victims who have received VAWA cancellation. I also encourage DHS to promote consistency in VAWA adjudications by defining references to "domestic violence" in the INA as "battery or extreme cruelty." the domestic abuse definition codified in the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ("VAWA 1994"). the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 ("IIRIRA") and regulations implementing the battered spouse waiver. The Secretary of Homeland Security can remove the conditional status of an alien who became a permanent resident. as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident without joint filing of a petition with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse. upon the showing of hardship. battery. or certain other factors. Applications for such relief may be amended to change the ground or grounds for such relief without having to be resubmitted.