Immigration Project
Life Span’s approach to ending domestic and sexual violence is a nationally recognized model that provides safety, empowerment and a lasting solution.
Immigrant survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault who are undocumented face serious obstacles safety and freedom from abuse. They suffer the terror of domestic violence made worse by language and cultural barriers. Immigrant battered victims are often unfamiliar with the American justice system, are fearful of police, and are powerless to counter the abuser’s control over them. Abusers threaten them with deportation and prohibit them from working. Life Span’s Immigrant Battered Women’s Project offers hope to immigrant victims, and a real opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their children.
Life Span’s Immigration Project is comprised of three attorneys and a paralegal advocate. Staff is housed in both our downtown Chicago and Des Plaines offices. We also have a joint project with a local immigration law firm to provide pro bono services to Life Span clients. Services are available in Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Korean, and Russian, as well as in other languages through language line interpretation. Life Span assists with the following types of petitions:
- Violence Against Women’s Act Self Petitions allows victims of domestic violence who have been married for more than two years to spouses who are citizens or legal permanent residents to apply for citizenship without their spouse’s assistance.
- Battered Spouse Waivers are another remedy under the Violence Against Women Act that allows spouses of citizens or legal permanent residents to apply for citizenship without their spouse’s assistance but does not require that a victim has been married for two years.
- U Visas provide legal status to undocumented domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims who assist law enforcement in investigation and prosecution of crimes. An investigation can mean filing a police report and/or being interviewed by the prosecutor. An actual criminal court case against the abuse is not necessary.
Additionally, Life Span advocates for better local, statewide, and national policies that impact the lives of immigrants. Our public and professional education efforts include know-your-rights presentations of the public and training for first responders, social service agencies, and others. We collaborate with other social service providers specializing in underserved populations to assist our clients in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
Our Immigration Project helps hundreds of survivors each year seek lawful immigration status, ensuring that these clients can seek safety without fear of deportation. To learn more about the Immigration Project or to refer someone, please call Life Span at 312-408-1210.