Violence Against Immigrant Women Workshops
Description: The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) hosted the 2023 Conference on Crimes Against Women and provided Law enforcement training on U Visa & Language Access to increase Immigrant victim safety and participation in the justice system.
Training Materials
- Tools for law enforcement and prosecution agencies
- Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Round Tables Sign-up
- Community of Practice for Victim Advocates Sign-up
- State-By-State Directory of Programs With Experience Serving Immigrant Victims
- Law Enforcement, Prosecutor, and Systems-Based Victim Advocate Podcast Series
NIWAP’s Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Systems-Based Victim Advocates
- Technical Assistance and Training Flyer – Law Enforcement and Prosecutors (September 27, 2021)
- Technical Assistance and Training on Legal Rights of Immigrant Crime Victims (September 27, 2021)
Forms of Immigration Relief and Screening Tools
- Bench Card/ Overview of Types of Immigration Status
- Family Court Bench Card on Immigration Rights of Battered Spouses, Children and Immigrant Crime Victims
- Bench Card on U Visa Victim Eligibility Process
- Blue Card/ Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (Squad Car Screening Tool
- Sample Questions for Identifying a Trafficked/Enslaved Person
- Comparison Chart of U visa, T Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Know Your Rights Information
- DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims
- DHS Brochure/ Immigration Options for Victims of Crime
- Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates
- Pathways to Immigration Relief for Students
- Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa
- Immigration Relief for Abused Children
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance (December 27, 2021)
- brochure: Continued Presence & Temporary Immigration Status for Victims of Human Trafficking
- Office on Trafficking in Persons Child Certification Handout
- Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors
Department of Homeland Security Publications
- Department of Homeland Security Policies/ Important to Work with Immigrant Victims
- ICE Directive 11005.3 – Using a Victim-Centered Approach with Noncitizen Crime Victims (August 10, 2021)
- Prosecutorial Discretion/ Certain Victim, Witnesses and Plaintiffs
- USCIS, U Visa Certification Resource Guide (February 28, 2022)
- USCIS, T Visa Certification Resource Guide (October 20. 2021)
- dhs: U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
- USCIS U Visa Certification Fact Sheet Q&A
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Continued Presence Resource Guide (July 2021)
- uscis: U Visa Demographics: U Visa Report (March 2020)
- USCIS U Visa Report/ U Visa Filing Trends (April 2020)
- uscis: Trends in U Visa Law Enforcement Certifications, Qualifying Crimes and Evidence of Helpfulness (July 2020)
- USCIS U Visa Report Technical Appendix (July 2020)
- USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 6 — U Visa Waiting List (June 14, 2021)
- USCIS Bona Fide Determination Process Flowchart (June 14, 2021)
- Blue Campaign/ What You Can Do- Recognizing and Supporting Trafficking Victims in the Courtroom
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U Visa and T Visa Legislative History
U and T Visas
- U visa Certification and T Visa Declaration Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors (August 30, 2021)
- U-Visa Checklist/ “Helpfulness”
- U Visa Certification and T Visa Declaration Toolkit for Federal, State and Local Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates and Other Judicial Officers (June 17, 2021)
- U visa Quick Reference Guide for Judges (October 14, 2020)
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2018 Resolution on Education and Awareness of U and T Visa Certifications
- Model Policy for Interactions with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- Discussion Paper for Model Policy for Working with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- Tip Sheet for Courts Developing U Visa Certification Protocols
- U Visa Certifications/ Range of Potential Certifiers
- U Visa Certification Process Flowchart (August 30, 2021)
- U- Visa Timeline with Background Checks
- U-Visa Family Member Sponsors
- T Visa Application Flowchart (June 12, 2021)
- T-Visa Flow Chart
- T Visa Timeline with Background Checks
- T Visa Regulations, Policies, and Government Publications (December 29, 2021)
- T -Visa Family Member Sponsors
- DHS Policy Answers to Law Enforcement Reasons for Not Certifying
- U Visa News Articles
- U-Visa Legal Advocacy/ Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
- Press Release on the U Visa – Template
- U Visa Resource List
Forms
- dhs: Instructions for Form I-914, Supplement B for U visa Certification
- dhs: Instructions for Form I-914, Supplement B for T visa Endorsement
- dhs: Form I-918, Supplement B for U visa Certification
- dhs: Instructions for Form I-918, Supplement B, for U visa Certification
Webinars
- In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim Witness Speaks Limited English
- U Visa/ Overview of Certification Presented by Investigator Michael LaRiviere, Salem Police Department Module Sign-In
- The U Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool/ How Certification Improves Domestic and Sexual Violence Investigations and Prosecutions
- What Judges, Attorneys, and Prosecutors Need to Know About How VAWA Confidentiality Impacts Discovery in Cases Involving Immigrant Survivors
- Best Practices and Tools That Build the Capacity of Adult Protective Services to Serve Immigrant Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims
- VAWA Confidentiality and Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence
- Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) Immigrant Crime Visas/ Law Enforcement’s Tool to Strengthen Community Policing
- Battered Women’s Justice Program (BWJP) Assessing Helpfulness for Immigrant Crime Victims
- DHS U and T Visa Training Videos
- Lessons Learned from Law Enforcement/ How Collaborations That Result in U Visa Certifications Support Safer Communities
- Law Enforcement and Advocates Partnering to Better Serve Immigrant Crime Victims
- Law Enforcement Use of the U Visa (Podcast)
- An Introduction to Law Enforcement Use of the U-Visa
- Understanding Helpfulness/ for the U Visa Certification and the Ongoing Assistance Requirement
- Expert Advice for Judges/ How to Handle U visa Certification and T visa Endorsement Requests
- Obtaining U Visa Certification from Judges in Protection Order, Family, Criminal, and Other State Court Proceedings
U Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool
- Stories From the Field/ The Crime Fighting Effectiveness of the U Visa (August 23, 2021)
- Training Bulletin/ Improving Crime Fighting Outcomes in Cases of Immigrant Victims/ The Role of Continued Presence and U and T Visa as Tools for Law Enforcement
- The Importance of the U-visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool for Law Enforcement Officials—Views from Around the Country
- Overcoming Fear and Building Trust With Immigrant Communities and Crime Victims (Police Chief Magazine April 2018)
- Protecting Our Communities and Officer Safety
- COPS Dispatch Article/ The U visa/ An important tool for Community Policing
- How Law Enforcement Is Using the U-Visa Practice Brief
- Transforming Lives Study Provides Evidence-Based Support for The Effectiveness of the VAWA and U Visa Programs and the DHS U Visa Bona Fide Policy That Provides Earlier Access Deferred Action and Work Authorization To Applicants (June 14, 2021)
- Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant Crime Victims and Children/ Findings of a National Judicial Survey and Recommendations
State U and T Visa Certification Laws
- State U Visa Certification Laws
- U and T Visa Certifications and Certification Reporting Requirements in California:
- Bench Card: U and T Visa Certification Reporting Requirements in California:
Prosecutor’s Tools Enhancing Work with Immigrant Crime Victims
- What’s Immigration Status Got to Do with It%3F Prosecution Strategies for Cases Involving Undocumented Victims
- VAWA Confidentiality and Criminal Cases/ How Prosecutors Should Respond to Discovery Attempts for Protected Information
- Certifying Early/ When Should You Sign a U or T Visa Certification for a Victim
- Quick Reference Guide for Prosecutors: U Visa and VAWA Confidentiality Related Case Law
- Family Court Bench Card on VAWA Confidentiality
- VAWA Confidentiality and Discovery Cases (October 18, 2022)
- How to Argue or Rule on VAWA Confidentiality Protections in Discovery Involving Immigrant Survivors (November 18, 2022)
Language Access
- Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of LEP
- Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement
- Dos and Don’ts to Help Identify LEP Persons
- Language Identification Card – DeKalb County Magistrate Court’s Compliance Project, Caminar Latino, Men Stopping Violence, Raksha, Inc, Tapestri, Inc, and Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence
- Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency Provision of Language Assistance to LEP Persons
- Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter
- NAJIT Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
- U.S. Department of Justice Sample Limited English Proficiency Guidelines from Office of Justice Programs “Center City Police Department”
- Translation Requirements for Vital Documents, Intake, and Notice of LEP Assistance for DOJ and HHS Grantees serving Immigrant Crime Victims
- Police Executive Research Forum – Community Policing in Immigrant Neighborhoods: Stories of Success
- Steps for Obtaining Interpreters
- Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters- Washington State Interpreters Program
- Tips for Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters
- Are you Compliant with Title VI Self-Assessment Tool
- Federal Register: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency: Executive Order 13166 (August 11, 2000)
- DOJ: Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency Resource Document: Tips and Tools from the Field
- Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs
- DOJ Letter to State Chief Justices and State Court Administrators on Access for Limited English Proficient Persons to State Court Proceedings
- Judicial Bench Card for Court Interpretation
- Serving Limited English Proficient Immigrant Victims**
- Language Access Materials for Police and Prosecutors (Updated 10/16/2019)
- Language Access Training Materials (Updated June 18, 2019)
Language Access Resources for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors from Technical Assistance Providers
- Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence: Language Access
- VERA Institute of Justice: Translating Justice Program
- National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project, American University, Washington College of Law:
- National Center for State Courts: Language Access Programs by State
- Casa de Esperanza:
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT): Interpreter and Translator Database
- Limited English Proficiency (A Federal Interagency Website): Department of Justice guidance and technical assistance for language access regulations
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: Language Access
- National Congress of American Indians: Language Access
- Center for Court Innovations: Tribal Access to Justice Innovation
Tools for Victim Advocates (Systems-Based and NGO)
- Evidence Checklists For Work With Immigrant Survivors (February 11, 2017)
- Trauma-Informed Help For Immigrant Survivors (Updated March 22, 2023)
Collaboration
- Immigrant and LEP Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System
- U Visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
- Building Trusting Relationships: A Guide for Advocates/Attorneys Working with Law Enforcement (LE) on U-Visa Certification Issues (Flow Chart)
- Immigration Status: Work Authorization, Public Benefits, and Ability to Sponsor Children (December 30, 2021)
VAWA Self-Petition
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Flow Chart for Child Applicants
- Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Elder Abuse Survivors
- Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Adults
- Battering or Extreme Cruelty: Drawing Examples from Civil Protection Order and Family Law Cases
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Introduction and Flow Charts
- VAWA Self-Petition: Protections for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Abuse by Abusive Spouses and Parents (Webinar – April 22, 2020, with Materials and Q & A Answers)
- VAWA Self-Petition Timeline with Background Checks (June 12, 2021)
VAWA Confidentiality
- VAWA Confidentiality Statutes, Legislative History and Implementing Policy (2.23.17)
- Three Prongs of VAWA Confidentiality
- Chapter 3 of Empowering Survivors: VAWA Confidentiality, History, Purpose, DHS Implementation, and Violations of VAWA Confidentiality Protections
- Utilizing VAWA Confidentiality Protections in Family Court Proceedings**
- Quick Reference: VAWA Confidentiality Protections: Quoting Statutes, Regulations and DHS Policies (June 12, 2021)
- Quick Reference Guide for Judges: VAWA Confidentiality & Discovery Related Case Law
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance
- Quick reference: VAWA Confidentiality Protections – Quoting Statutes Regulations and Department of Homeland Security Policies
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance (December 27, 2021)
For Systems-Based Victim Advocates – Public Benefits Eligibility for Immigrant Victims
- All State Public Benefits Charts and Interactive Public Benefits Map (2022)
- State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021)
- State by State Demographics
- State by State Public Benefits Charts
- Interactive State Benefits Map
- Guide to the Public Benefits Map
- Privacy Protections for Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits
- Anti-Discrimination Provisions That Apply to Programs Receiving Federal Funding Services Victims of Violence Against Women Crimes
- Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status
- Flow Chart Public Charge Test and Housing benefits
- Infographic Public Charge and Housing Benefits
- Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility and Immigrant Crime Victims
Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence Experienced by Immigrant Survivors
- Immigrant Power and Control Wheel – Forms of Domestic Violence That Immigrant Women Experience (April 13,1996)
- CH 1 Dynamics of Sexual Assault and the Implications for Immigrant Women
- NIWAP’s Transforming Lives Study Provides Evidence-Based Support for The Effectiveness of the VAWA and U Visa Programs and the DHS U Visa Bona Fide Policy That Provides Earlier Access Deferred Action and Work Authorization To Applicants (June 14, 2021)
- Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant and LEP Crime Victims in an Age of Increased Immigration Enforcement – National Report (May 3, 2018)
- Dynamics, Screening, Interviewing, Safety Planning, Collaboration and Best Practices (February 6, 2023)
- National Judicial Network Webinar – Protecting Against Vicarious Trauma/ Tools and Strategies for Providers Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Trafficking (January 31, 2023)
Research on Immigrant Survivors and the Benefits of Applying for Immigration Relief
- Transforming Lives: How the VAWA Self-Petition and the U Visa Change the Lives of Victims and Their Children After Work Authorization and Legal Immigration Status (June 2021)
- Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant and LEP Crime Victims in an Age of Increased Immigration Enforcement – National Report (May 3, 2018)
- ACLU Freezing Out Justice Report (2018)
- Characteristics of Help-Seeking Behaviors, Resources, and Service Needs of Battered Immigrant Latinas: Legal and Policy Implications (Summer, 2000)
- Early Access to Work Authorization For VAWA Self-Petitioners and U-Visa Applicants (February 12, 2014)
- Battered Immigrants and U.S. Citizen (USC) Spouses (April 24, 2006)
- Violence Against Immigrant Women and Systemic Responses: An Exploratory Study (November 14, 2003)
- VAWA IV Researcher Perspective on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Experiences of Immigrant Women Who Self-Petition Under the Violence Against Women Act (August 2, 2010)
- Battered Immigrant Women in the United States and Protection Orders: An Exploratory Research (August 1, 2012)
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Public Policy Timeline Highlighting Accomplishments on Behalf Of Immigrants and Women of Color (February 11, 2017)
- Dreams Lost, Dreams Found: Undocumented Women in the Land of Opportunity
**If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org