If you are an illegal immigrant and are married to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and have been a victim of abuse, you may be able to get help.

If you’ve been the victim of emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse at the hands of your spouse, you may qualify for immigrations benefits or a valid work authorization. Under The Violence Against Women Act, abused immigrants may obtain permanent residency and other immigration benefits that will allow them to leave their abusive situation.

For more information about free and confidential legal services call the Texas Civil Rights Project’s VAWA Program at 1- 888-364-8277.

NJ Supreme Court says bail can be higher for illegal immigrants

The state Supreme Court has ruled that county prosecutors may seek bail increases on illegal aliens charged with crimes who they believe face imminent deportation.

In a unanimous ruling by the state’s highest court, the opinion sanctioned the actions of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in January when it asked for, and received from a Superior Court judge, a bail increase from $75,000 to $300,000 for Manuel Fajardo-Santos. Fajardo-Santos, an illegal alien from Honduras, was charged in August 2008 with molesting a child in Wharton.

Bail was set at $75,000, and the complaint against him stated there was reason to believe he was here illegally. But it wasn’t until Dec. 18 that the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against him at the county jail, which indicated they wished to start deportation proceedings against him.

Woman pleads guilty to running marriage immigration scheme

DALLAS (AP) – A 71-year-old woman accused of recruiting family members to marry foreigners seeking green cards pleaded guilty Wednesday to taking part in an immigration fraud conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors say Maria Refugia Camarillo of Fort Worth faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced in September. She also must provide a $35,000 lien on her home.

Investigators said that from the 1980s until last year, Camarillo and others ran a scheme in which U.S. citizens would marry foreigners willing to pay up to $12,000. Once married, the U.S. citizen could petition for their foreign spouse to receive U.S. permanent residence, also called a green card, and later U.S. citizenship.

Citizenship for Permanent Residents

You may be eligible for naturalization if you have lived in the United States for at least 5 years as a permanent resident or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen (if you meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen).

How long can an alien be in H-1B status?

Under current law, an alien can be in H-1B status for a maximum period of six years at a time. After that time an alien must remain outside the United States for one year before another H- 1B petition can be approved.