Opinion ID: 3002598
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Battered Spouse Provision of the INA

Text: Under the INA’s battered spouse provision, the “Attorney General may cancel removal” of an alien who is otherwise removable if the petitioner establishes the elements of 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(b)(2), including that he “has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse 6 No. 07-3883 or parent who is or was a United States citizen.” Id. § 1229b(b)(2)(A)(i)(I).4 Congress has not defined “extreme cruelty” or provided a legal standard for determining its existence for the purposes of § 1229b(b)(2). However, the DHS promulgated a regulation that permits a battered spouse of a citizen or lawful permanent resident to self-petition for adjustment of status, and it defines “battery or extreme cruelty” as including, but 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. Other abusive actions may also be acts of violence under certain circum- stances, including acts that, in and of themselves, may not initially appear violent but that are a part of an overall pattern of violence. 8 C.F.R. § 204.2(c)(1)(vi). 4 An applicant for cancellation of removal under § 1229b(b)(2) also must demonstrate (1) physical presence for a continuous period of not less than three years immediately preceding the application; (2) good moral character during such period; (3) that he or she is not inadmissible or deportable under other provisions and has not been convicted of an aggravated felony; and (4) that removal would result in extreme hardship to the alien, his child, or his parent. 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(b)(2)(A)(ii)-(v). No. 07-3883 7 Based on the statute and the DHS regulation, Stepanovic asserts that his ex-wife’s conduct and the deterioration of their marriage resulted in emotional and mental injury and constituted extreme cruelty under § 1229b(b)(2).