Application of Protection Remedies For Victims of Domestic Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Crime Under U.S. Law

An issue of concern is how these [self-petitions for permanent residence under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) for spouses and children of abusive U.S. citizens and permanent residents, nonimmigrant visas for victims of serious crime, and T visas for victims of human trafficking] types of protection might apply to immigrants in United States territories. This paper will give an overview of the current status of applicability of those forms of protection in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, and make proposals regarding the implementation of the listed forms of protected relief in those regions.

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