Domestic violence is a crime in every US state. It happens in every culture and community. Help is free and confidential, and many protections apply regardless of immigration status.
Hitting, pushing, choking, or threatening to hurt you, your children or your pets.
Forcing sex, including inside marriage.
Controlling all the money, taking your passport or documents, or stopping you from seeing friends or family.
Threatening to report you to immigration, to cancel your visa, or to take the children away.
Constant insults, tracking your phone, or reading your messages.
In danger right now: call 911.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, with interpreters in many languages.
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (or text 233733), if someone forces you to work or to have sex, or holds your documents.
Local domestic violence shelters give a safe place to stay, often with children.
A protective order (also called a restraining order) is a court order telling the abuser to stay away from you. You can ask a local court for one. Shelters and hotlines help you apply, often for free. Breaking the order is a crime.
Many abusers threaten your status. US law has special protections:
VAWA self-petition: if you were abused by a spouse or parent who is a US citizen or green card holder, you may apply for a green card on your own, without the abuser knowing or helping. Men and women can apply. Some abused parents of adult US citizens can also apply.
U visa: for victims of certain crimes, including domestic violence, who have been helpful to police or prosecutors.
T visa: for victims of human trafficking.
Abused spouses of certain visa holders (A, E-3, G, H): may be able to apply for a work permit.
USCIS has special confidentiality rules for these cases. The abuser is not told about your application.
Keep copies of your passport, visa, I-94, children's birth certificates and money in a safe place outside the home, or with someone you trust.
Save the hotline number under another name in your phone.
Choose a code word with a friend that means "call for help".
Take photos of injuries and keep messages as evidence.
Before you apply for VAWA or a U visa, speak with an immigration lawyer or accredited representative. Many domestic violence programs have free legal help.
Believing you will be deported if you call police. Victims have protections.
Staying because the abuser holds your passport. Your consulate can issue a new one, and hotlines can help.
Signing papers the abuser gives you without understanding them.