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While advocates
        a) for battered immigrants

    are encouraged
        a) to apply for all the waivers
                i) that may be applicable,

1) the following section will outline the evidentiary requirements
        a) for a battered spouse waiver.21

Good Faith Marriage:

In order to obtain a battered spouse waiver,

1) the applicant must prove that
        a) the marriage
                i) between the survivor and the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

           was entered into in good faith.

14 INA �� 216(c)(4), 8 U.S.C. �� 1186a(c)(4).
15 Id.
16 Id.
17 The definition of battered or subjected to extreme cruelty ��includes, but is not limited to, being the victim of any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention, which results or threatens to result in physical or mental injury. Psychological or sexual abuse or exploitation, including rape, molestation, incest (if the victim is a minor) or forced
prostitution shall be considered acts of violence.�� 8 C.F.R. �� 216.5(e)(3)(i).
18 INA �� 216(c)(4), 8 U.S.C. �� 1186a(c)(4); Matter of Balsillie, 20 I. & N. Dec. 486 (BIA 1992).
19 INA �� 216(c)(4), 8 U.S.C. �� 1186a(c)(4).
20 8 C.F.R. �� 216.5(e)(3)(viii).
21 Applicants are encouraged to apply for all waivers together, if they qualify, to avoid the risk of being barred from raising another waiver at a later proceeding or application.



The CIS has discretion
        a) in finding that
                i) a good faith marriage exists.22

The CIS will
        a) consider evidence
                i) relating to the couple��s commitment
                        A) to the marriage and
        b) assess
                i) whether it was a marriage
                        A) made in good faith.

An indication
        a) of a good faith marriage

1) may be found
        a) by examining the intention
                i) of the parties
                ii) at the time
                        A) that they were married
                iii) to see
                        A) if they intended to establish a life together.23

To show an applicant��s good faith
        a) in entering into the marriage,

1) the following are examples
        a) of documents
                i) that the applicant should submit:24

        a. Birth certificate(s)
                i) of children
                        A) born to the marriage;

        b.         i) Lease or
                ii) mortgage contracts, or
                iii) affidavits
                        A) of landlords and neighbors,
                        C) showing joint
                                I) occupancy and/or
                                II) ownership
                                        (a) of the couple��s communal residence;

        c. Financial records
                i) showing
                        A) joint ownership of assets and
                        B) joint responsibility for liabilities,
                                I) such as
                                        (a) joint savings and checking accounts,
                                        (b) joint federal and state tax returns,
                                        (c) insurance policies
                                                (i) that show the other spouse
                                                        (A) as the beneficiary,
                                        (d) joint utility bills,
                                        (e) joint installment or other loans;

        d. Affidavits
                i) by people
                        A) who have known both spouses
                                I) since the conditional residence was granted,
                ii) attesting
                        A) to their personal knowledge
                                I) of the marital relationship,
                        B) in addition to the personal knowledge
                                I) of their courtship or dating;

        e. Photographs
                i) from
                        A) the wedding,
                        B) family vacations,
                        C) special events,
                        D) holiday celebrations.

Battery or Extreme Cruelty:

An applicant must prove that
        a) she has been subjected to
                i) battery or
                ii) extreme cruelty.

An applicant
        a) for the waiver

1) may be
        a) separated or
        b) divorced from her husband, or
2) may still be living with her abuser.25

Additionally,

the battered spouse waiver,
        a) unlike the other two waivers,

1) is available to women
        a) who have been ordered
                i) removed and
                ii) deported
                        A) from the United States, or
        b) who have failed
                i) to depart
                        A) after their conditional resident status terminated.26

If an applicant can prove that
        a) she has been subjected to
                i) battering or
                ii) extreme cruelty,

1) the evidence
        a) of abuse

   stands as a justifiable reason
        a) for the applicant��s inability
                i) to join with the abuser
                        A) to remove the conditions on her residence.

To prove her case,

the applicant should try to submit as many of the following documents as possible:27

         Copy of
                i) reports or
                ii) official records
                        A) documenting
                                I) the abuse or
                                II) the effects of the abuse
                                        (a) on
                                                (i) the battered immigrant or
                                                (ii) her child
                        B) issued by
                                I) school officials and
                                II) representatives of social service agencies;

        b. Medical records
                i) documenting
                        A) the frequency and
                        B) extent
                                I) of any injuries;

        c. Police records of
                i) calls or
                ii) complaints
                        A) (e.g.
                                I) police reports and
                                II) 911 call tapes);

        d. Court records
                i) documenting
                        A) arrests,
                        B) convictions, or
                        C) the issuance
                                I) of protection orders;

        e. Affidavits
                i) from
                        A) police,
                        B) judges,
                        C) medical personnel,
                        D) school officials,
                        E) battered women��s
                                I) advocates or
                                II) shelter workers,
                        F) mental health professionals
                                I) treating
                                        (a) the victim or
                                        (b) her children,
                        G) social services agency personnel, and
                        H) witnesses
                                I) to the domestic violence incidents
                                II) documenting
                                        (a) the emotional abuse or
                                        (b) injuries
                                                (i) that resulted from the abuse;

        f. Affidavit
                i) from the applicant;
        g. An original evaluation
                i) by a professional
                        A) such as
                                I) a licensed social worker,
                                II) psychologist, or
                                III) psychiatrist
                ii) to show extreme mental cruelty

            could be helpful
            but is not required;28

        h. Copy of
                i) divorce decree

                1) if marriage was terminated
                        A) by divorce
                        B) on grounds of
                                I) physical abuse or
                                II) mental cruelty;

        i. Copy of t
                i) he custody order

                1) if the decision
                        A) to grant custody

                    was based on a finding
                        A) of domestic violence.





22 INA �� 216(c)(4), 8 U.S.C. �� 1186a(c)(4).
23 See Bark v. INS, 511 F.2d 1200 (1975).
24 See General Filing Instructions to INS Form I-751.
25 8 C.F.R. �� 216.5(e)(3)(ii); Lee Article at 794.
26 8 C.F.R. �� 216.5(e)(3)(ii).
27 See General Filing Instructions for INS Form I-751.

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