Matrimonial & Integrated Domestic Violence

Violation of Support Order

Possible Deportation

  • Arrest or jail for violation of a support order may trigger a hold by immigration and lead to deportation proceedings (if not in status).

Possible Denial of Future Immigration Benefits

  • Violations ​can be​ sources of information regarding “conduct-­based” grounds of inadmissibility or deportability.
    • Many immigration benefits like naturalization, green card, VAWA, VAWA Cancellation of Removal, BSW, Non-LPR cancellation of removal, require applicant to show that they have been a person of “good moral character” for a certain number of years prior to application.
  • Violations can be​ used as negative discretionary factors in immigration applications (i.e. green cards, citizenship, etc.), but these findings do not statutorily disqualify a child from immigration status.
    • Even if it does not impact someone’s good moral character, many immigration benefits are discretionary – so this could be used against them, still.