This keynote address will discuss the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse experienced by immigrant adults and children and the important role of language access in serving limited English proficient victims. An overview of immigration relief available to immigrant victims and current and newly released Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and priorities regarding crime victim protection will be highlighted. These policies affect best practices for safety planning in work with immigrant survivors and impact case planning in victims’ family court cases. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of what evidence based research tells us about best practices and successful victim advocate, attorney, law enforcement collaborations that result in offering effective life-saving assistance to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking.
PowerPoint Presentations:
- March 17, 2016, Keynote: Best Practices and Collaborations That Promote Safety for Immigrant Crime Victims
- March 17, 2016, Workshop: Immigrant Survivors Legal Rights, Options and Opportunities Under Family Law and Public Benefits Laws
Materials List:
Legal Rights Overview and Brochures
Immigrant Victims and Safety Planning
- DHS Enforcement Priorities: Policies and Memoranda Information for State Court Judges
- DHS Policies and Safety Planning Flow Chart
- Improve Immigrant Victim Safety, Gain Protection From Deportation: Practice Tip – File Now, Get RFE-d Later
- Immigrant Victim’s Rights and Protections
Language Access and Dynamics
- CH 1 Dynamics of Sexual Assault and the Implications for Immigrant Women (2013)
- CH 1.1 Dynamics of Domestic Violence Experienced By Immigrant Victims (2013)
- Translation Requirements for Vital Documents, Intake and Notice of LEP Assistance for DOJ and HHS Grantees Serving Immigrant Crime Victims (March 9, 2014)
- Building Trusting Relationships: A Guide for Advocates/Attorneys Working With Law Enforcement On U-Visa Certification Issues
- Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief Eligibility Questions for Protective Relief
- U.S. Department of Justice: Model Police Department Directive: Limited English Proficiency Guidelines
- Department of Homeland Security U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
- Dos and Don’ts to Help Law Enforcement Identify Victims, Witnesses, and Other Persons Who Are Limited English Proficient and Need An Interpreter
- Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement
- Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of Limited English Proficient (LEP)
- Steps for Obtaining Interpreters
Immigration Options for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
- Family Court Bench Card on Immigration Rights of Battered Spouses, Children and Immigrant Crime Victims
- CH 3.3 VAWA Self-Petition (2013)
- VAWA Self Petitioning Evidence Checklist
- CH 10 U-Visas: Victims of Criminal Activity (2013)
- Immigration Protection Screening Checklist
- U Visa Evidence Checklist
- U-Visa: “Helpfulness” Checklist
- U-Visa Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors (January 2013)
- U-Visa Certification Tool Kit for Federal, State and Local Judges, Commissioners, and Magistrates (February 3, 2014)
- U-Visa Certification Tool Kit for Federal, State and Local Judges, Commissioners, and Magistrates (February 3, 2014)
- U-Visa Quick Reference
- Barriers and Successes in U Visas for Immigrant Victims: The Experiences of Legal Assistance for Victims Grantees
- Department of Homeland Security Roll Call Videos on U Visa Certification and T Visa Endorsement
- 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)
- VAWA Red Flags (July 2013)
- Human Trafficking and the T-Visa
- Sample Questions for Identifying a Trafficked/Enslaved Person
- State Proceedings in Which Courts Can Enter Findings and Orders Needed By Children Filing For Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Protections
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Child Welfare Workers
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Information for Juvenile Courts
Immigrant Victims in Family Law Cases
- Immigrants and Protection Orders Bench Card
- Evidence Checklist for Battered Immigrant Women Seeking Protection Orders (2008)
- The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children (1994)
- Custody of Children in Mixed-Status Families: Preventing the Misunderstanding and Misuse of Immigration Status in State-Court Custody Proceedings (2013)
- Family Court Bench Card on Issues That Arise in Custody Cases Involving Immigrant Parents, Children and Crime Victims
- Justice for All: How Attorneys Can Successfully Win Custody Cases for Immigrant Survivors When There Is a Clash of Laws, Cultures, Custody, and Parental Rights
- Ch. 6.1 Countering Abuser’s Attempts to Raise Immigration Status of the Victim in Custody Cases
- Bench Card on Common Issues that Arise from Parties’ Immigration Status: Economic Remedies
- Ch. 5.1 Breaking Barriers Battered Immigrants and Civil Protection Orders
- Border Crossings: Understanding the Civil, Criminal, and Immigration Implications for Battered Immigrants Fleeing Across State Lines With Their Children
- Immigration Relief for Abused Children
Access to Public Benefits and Services for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence
- Public Benefits Bench Card
- U Visa Victim Benefits Eligibility Process
- VAWA Public Benefits Eligibility Process
- Trafficking Victim Benefits Eligibility Process
- Ch 16: Access To Programs And Services That Can Help Victims of Sexual Assault
- Ch 4.3 Barriers to Accessing Services: The Importance of Advocates Accompanying Battered Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits