Which category of individuals may adjust status under INA § 245(a)?

The correct choice highlights that individuals who have an approved Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition may adjust status under INA § 245(a). This provision is specifically designed to offer protection and a path to legal residency for certain individuals who have been victims of domestic abuse, allowing them to seek independence from their abuser.

The approval of a VAWA self-petition demonstrates that these individuals meet specific eligibility criteria, including proving that they have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, or a parent in the case of a child. Once their self-petition is approved, they can then file for adjustment of status to become lawful permanent residents.

While other options mention valid statuses or categories of individuals, they do not apply to the adjustment of status under this particular section of the law. For instance, refugees have a separate process under different provisions, and while individuals with work permits and students holding F-1 visas may have their own paths to adjustment, these do not specifically relate to the context of VAWA. Therefore, the approval of a VAWA self-petition stands out as a unique category under which individuals can adjust status.