Family Petitions, Waivers & VAWA
Family-Based Immigration: Petitions, Waivers & VAWA Protection
At Law Offices of Monica Jara-Aguirre, we reunite families through every legal pathway—from marriage green cards to protecting abuse survivors under VAWA.
1. Family Petitions (Form I-130)
- We file for:
- Immediate Relatives
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under 21
- Parents of U.S. citizens (if sponsor is 21+)
- Family Preference Categories
- Adult children (F1/F2B/F3)
- Siblings (F4)
- Key Benefit: Lock in your child’s "priority date" before they turn 21 using CSPA protections
2. Waivers (I-601/I-601A)
- Overcome these barriers:
- Unlawful presence (3/10-year bars)
- Fraud/misrepresentation
- Criminal inadmissibility
- Health-related grounds
- Proven Strategy: We pair waivers with:
- Extreme hardship evidence
- Military service records
- U.S. citizen child medical needs
3. VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
- Self-petition without abuser’s knowledge for:
- Abused spouses of U.S. citizens/LPRs
- Children (under 21, or older if abuse affected filing)
- Parents of abusive U.S. citizen sons/daughters
- Unique Advantage: VAWA applicants may:
- Work legally while case processes
- Stay in U.S. even if marriage ends
- File even if divorce was forced by abuser
Why Families Choose Us
- 25+ Years Experience with complex cases
- Bilingual Team (English/Spanish)
- High Approval Rates:
- 98% I-130 approvals
- 92% waiver success
- 95% VAWA approvals
- Trauma-Sensitive Approach for abuse survivors
The Process
- For Family Petitions
- File I-130 + prove bona fide relationship
- Wait for visa availability (track priority dates)
- Adjust status or consular process
- For Waivers
- Determine inadmissibility issue
- Document qualifying hardship
- File I-601 (abroad) or I-601A (stateside)
- For VAWA
- Gather abuse evidence (police reports, medical records)
- Self-petition with Form I-360
- Apply for work permit & green card
After Asylum Approval
- Work Authorization- Immediate eligibility
- Green Card Pathway- Apply after 1 year
- Family Reunification - Petition for spouse/children
- Travel Rights - Refugee travel document available
- Public Benefits - Possible Medicaid/SSI eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1 : What areas of law do you practice?
We specialize in family law, immigration law, and civil litigation. Whether you’re facing a divorce, seeking a visa, or dealing with a legal dispute, we are here to help.
Q. 2 : Do you offer consultations?
Yes, we offer initial consultations to evaluate your legal needs and discuss the best course of action. Please contact our office at (818) 570-7197 or email jaraaguirrelaw@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.
Q. 3 : Where is your office located?
Our primary office is at:
820 San Fernando Road, Suite 203A, San Fernando, CA 91340
We also have a mailing address in Encino:
4930 Balboa Blvd #261938, Encino, CA 91426
Q. 4 : Do you charge for consultations?
We denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms.
Q. 5 : What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring any relevant documents related to your case (court papers, notices, contracts, identification, etc.) and a list of questions or concerns you have. This helps us better understand and assess your legal situation.