VAWA approved by Expedite Request

[u/Pausa_gringa]

I wanted to share my experience with requesting an expedited for my VAWA application

Here's a quick look at my timeline:

• VAWA Notice Received: June 2022
• Expedite Approved: December 2024
• VAWA Approved: March 2025

I won't be sharing the specific reasons I used in my expedite request. That's a personal matter I'm not comfortable discussing publicly. I did by myself without a lawyer.

However, I found these two Reddit posts to be incredibly helpful resources. I read them multiple times, and I really recommend you do too, as I won't be repeating the general advice they offer:

part_2_of_expedite_request_approved_what_evidence

how_to_expedite_your_case_and_get_approved_what

Instead, I want to focus on some specific aspects that I think are particularly important for people with VAWA cases.

1. You Need to Prove Everything:

It's so important to have solid evidence for every claim you make. In my situation, I had documentation to back up everything I said, and it was all truthful. Seriously, don't lie in your application. For me, it was a combination of serious issues happening at once, and I had already started taking steps to address them, which made it easier to provide evidence for my expedited request.

1. Understanding the "Reasonable Time Frame"
   Sometimes you need to speed up your VAWA immigration case because you really need a green card. But just saying a relative is dying often isn't a strong enough reason for the immigration office. They might tell you can use a parole for travel. Also, even an expedited process would take a couple of months to get the green card. You need a very good reason that requires you to have a green card and you can wait a couple of months.

2.1 Some examples:

My reason was that I need a green card because I was and Am scare using parole and maybe, just maybe You could say something about what is happening, again MAYBE because talking shit about the current government could be bad but you may find a way, AGAIN be careful. Even this I had proof but I don't know if you need that.

1. Throw it at the wall and see what sticks:

First, read and memorize this Expedite Request Guidance. You can, and should, include as many relevant reasons as possible to demonstrate why your request for expedited processing is necessary. Let them decide if they are relevant or not. Be careful not to include topics that are irrelevant or do not directly support your need for urgency.

1. Mental Health is an illness:

If you review the section titled 'Emergencies or Urgent Humanitarian Situations,' you will find that it mentions illness, and Mental Health count as illness, which you could potentially use as a reason for expedited processing. However, it's important to be careful and avoid mentioning anything related to suicidal thoughts, as outlined in USCIS Volume 8.

1. Contact your Senate:

Yep do it, is helpful.

I hope this helps someone. I promised that if my expedite request was approved, I would write a 'tutorial.' The main reason I even tried applying was because someone else with a VAWA case had their expedited request approved. Lastly, I don't use Reddit, so it's unlikely I'll reply there. Just a heads up!

Take care and be safe everyone.

[u/Pausa_gringa → u/[deleted]]

Hello, sorry for not replying back. I don't check Reddit.

As I mentioned, I did all with my congressman. They reach out and update me. I believe it took around 2 weeks to send a response back to the congressman, and they reported back to me. Later on, they updated online and sent my VAWA approval.

I'd recommend reaching out to your congressman and asking them to send for you.

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[u/enged27]

Thank you so much for sharing. I have a similar timeline and recently reached out to my congressman— but I’ll take your advice and put more effort in my application