Sister stuck in the US and needs help

[Jammydogger]

I apologise in advance its a really long story.

My sister had a 10yr American visa, she used to visit the US alot and see her now husband. She moved to the UK and was in the middle of getting a work permit. Then she found out she was pregnant and her boyfriend ask her to move back.

She got married in 2001 in America. She now has two kids and her husband refuses to help her get a green card. He keeps saying he's gonna do it and nothing happens and its 9years now. She's overstayed and her visa expired. Both her kids are American and she can't take them out the country without his permission and she's not gonna leave her kids.

She wants to get a divorce but he keeps threatening to take the kids because she has no status in the country. She hasn't been working or anything. She's stuck at home because she has no right to work.

I was looking on US Immigration site, i was wondering if anyone knows anything about applying for a green card under battered spouse. I'm wondering if that's just a broad term for victim of domestic abuse. She's just too scared to leave him because she think's she gonna lose her kids. She needs a way out of this madness without him threatening her.

Any help would be appreciated

[Marco 72]

I apologise in advance its a really long story.

My sister had a 10yr American visa, she used to visit the US alot and see her now husband. She moved to the UK and was in the middle of getting a work permit. Then she found out she was pregnant and her boyfriend ask her to move back.

She got married in 2001 in America. She now has two kids and her husband refuses to help her get a green card. He keeps saying he's gonna do it and nothing happens and its 9years now. She's overstayed and her visa expired. Both her kids are American and she can't take them out the country without his permission and she's not gonna leave her kids.

She wants to get a divorce but he keeps threatening to take the kids because she has no status in the country. She hasn't been working or anything. She's stuck at home because she has no right to work.

I was looking on US Immigration site, i was wondering if anyone knows anything about applying for a green card under battered spouse. I'm wondering if that's just a broad term for victim of domestic abuse. She's just too scared to leave him because she think's she gonna lose her kids. She needs a way out of this madness without him threatening her.

Any help would be appreciated

I would advise you to post on the following forum, which deals with marriage-based immigration to the US. People with similar cases (including battered spouses) have found advice there. Good luck. The forum is

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35

There is something known as the Violence against Women Act (VAWA), which may allow her to self-petition, but it's definitely not a DIY project. She needs legal help.

[Jammydogger]

Thanks for replying, I'll try that site and hopefully get some information.