Sept. 11-25, 2025 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE: 1.5 per webinar

This three-week webinar series will provide an introduction to self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and adjustment of status for approved self-petitioners. The presenters will cover the basic eligibility requirements for self-petitioning for individuals who have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by certain U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR) family members. Participants will learn about how to prepare a successful self-petition, including strategies for developing the client’s declaration and gathering required evidence.

Registration

Please note that CLINIC is committed to preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL). CLINIC online trainings are open to the staff and volunteers of CLINIC Affiliates, any other nonprofit agency, and private attorneys and their staff. Independent non-attorney legal workers are not eligible to register for CLINIC trainings. CLINIC reserves the right to request proof of an agency’s nonprofit status, proof of employment/volunteer status with a nonprofit, and/or proof of authorization to provide immigration legal services to the community.

NOTE: Access to recordings of the webinars is included with your purchase of the three-part webinar series. Your access will be available until Oct. 25.  

Webinar One: Eligibility to File a VAWA Self-Petition

Sept.11 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week one, students will focus on the eligibility requirements for filing a VAWA self-petition based on battery or extreme cruelty by a USC or LPR spouse or parent, or by a USC adult son or daughter. The presenters will also discuss eligibility for derivatives and age-out protections. The presenters will also discuss the Notice to Appear (NTA) memo and briefly review eligibility for VAWA cancellation of removal.

Webinar Two: Best Practices in Preparing a Self-Petition and Responding to Problems Along the Way

Sept. 18 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week two, we will examine how to put together a successful self-petition, including initial screening for eligibility, developing the client’s declaration, creating a road-map style cover letter, gathering evidence, obtaining police clearance letters, and facing challenges in providing proof of the abuser’s status. The presenters will also discuss common requests for evidence, options for obtaining employment authorization, approvals, and denials.

Webinar Three: Applying for Permanent Residence

Sept. 25 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET | CA MCLE 1.5

In week three, we will focus on obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The presenters will discuss eligibility for adjustment of status, including when an approved self-petitioner is eligible to apply as an immediate relative or as a preference immigrant based on the Department of State Visa Bulletin. The presenters will also discuss how age-out protections apply at the adjustment of status stage. In addition, participants will learn about common grounds of inadmissibility and preparing waivers of inadmissibility.