This presentation focuses on the importance of immigration status in family courts. Immigration status can profoundly affect the family dynamics and context in which many decisions involving families unfold. In families experiencing domestic violence and/or child abuse, immigration related abuse is an effective tool of, power and control that co-exists with and predicts escalation of physical and sexual abuse as it is used to silence victims and gain advantage in family court. In this workshop judges will learn how to access and apply legally correct information about immigration laws in family court cases so that courts issue unbiased and just orders, findings, and discovery rulings when parties raise or immigration status issues are present in custody, protection order, child welfare, and divorce proceedings.