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

• Legislative History of VAWA (94,00,05), T and U Visas, Battered Spouse Waiver, and VAWA Confidentiality (January 5, 2023)

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