USCIS Updates VAWA Policy Manual: What Survivors and Advocates Need to Know

On December 22, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a significant update to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) section of the USCIS Policy Manual. The update clarifies how VAWA self-petitions are adjudicated and aims to strengthen program integrity while preserving protections for genuine survivors of domestic abuse.

Why This Matters

USCIS reports an unprecedented increase in VAWA self-petition filings over recent years. From fiscal years 2020 to 2024, overall Form I-360 VAWA filings increased by approximately 360%. During the same period, filings by male self-petitioners rose by 259%, and filings by parents increased by more than 2,000%.

According to USCIS, these trends are alarming and have led to increased concerns about misuse of the VAWA program. Improper filings can slow processing times and harm survivors with legitimate claims. The updated guidance is intended to reduce fraud, protect program integrity, and ensure decisions align with statutory requirements.

What’s New in the VAWA Policy Manual

Clarified Evidence and Adjudication Standards

USCIS has codified long-standing adjudicative practices and provided more detailed explanations of how VAWA provisions apply. The guidance clarifies evidence expectations to reduce Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), while reaffirming that USCIS officers have discretion to determine the credibility and weight of evidence based on the totality of the circumstances.

Shared Residence Requirement

The updated policy makes explicit that VAWA self-petitioners must show they lived with the abusive family member during the qualifying relationship. This clarification provides officers with clearer standards for evaluating shared residence as part of eligibility.

Good-Faith Marriage Evidence

For marriage-based VAWA self-petitions, applicants must now provide primary evidence demonstrating that the marriage was entered into in good faith. A good-faith marriage is one that was genuine and not entered into for immigration benefits. USCIS clarified the types of evidence that may satisfy this requirement.

Step-Relationship Policy Update

USCIS updated its policy on step-relationships when a biological or legal parent or child dies. In such cases, the self-petitioner must provide evidence showing that the relationship with the surviving abusive family member continues after filing the petition. This helps USCIS determine whether a qualifying relationship still exists under the law.

What Remains the Same

Despite these clarifications, the core statutory eligibility requirements under VAWA have not changed. Applicants must still establish a qualifying relationship to an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (spouse, parent, or child), evidence of battery or extreme cruelty, and good moral character.

VAWA continues to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence for eligible survivors without requiring the abuser’s participation or consent.

Who This Update Affects

The updated policy guidance applies to:

• VAWA self-petitions pending as of December 22, 2025
• VAWA self-petitions filed on or after December 22, 2025

Practitioners, advocates, and self-petitioners should rely on the updated guidance when preparing and adjudicating cases moving forward.

In Practice: What Survivors Should Know

Stronger evidence matters: USCIS now outlines specific expectations for demonstrating shared residence and proving a bona fide marriage.

Documentation counts: Leases, joint bills, affidavits, and correspondence showing co-residence may be critical.

Credibility is key: Officers continue to evaluate credibility and weight of evidence based on the totality of the circumstances.

Policy aligns with law: The update emphasizes interpretation consistent with statutory requirements enacted by Congress.