Ten Year LPR Status, Physical Abuse

Attorney Mooradian's client, a young woman from South America, recently received her ten-year permanent resident card after enduring physical and psychological abuse during the course of her marriage.  The client initially received conditional LPR status based on her marriage to a United States Citizen. During the course of the marriage, however, the client had to call the police after physical altercations, including threats by the USC toward others.

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When the time came to remove conditions of her permanent resident status to obtain a ten-year resident status, the client and the USC had reconciled and were together. After submission of those documents, the relationship again broke down. The client came to Mooradian unsure if she would be able to lawfully remain in the United States. Mooradian was able to work with the client to amend her form I-751 to a filing based on a good faith waiver (as well as abuse) instead of a joint filing.  Mooradian contacted numerous witnesses who supported the bona fide nature of the relationship and detailed the abuse that the client had endured. Following an extended interview at USCIS, the client was granted ten-year LPR status. In several more years, she will be eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship.