New Mexico Workshop: Immigrant Survivors Legal Rights, Options and Opportunities Under Family and Public Benefits Laws [pdf]

This workshop discusses the range of issues that arise in family court cases involving immigrant survivors and immigrant children and best practices for helping immigrant survivors involved in family court cases. Custody, protection orders, child support, spousal support, U visa certification by judges and special immigration remedies for immigrant children (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Access to healthcare, housing, and public benefits for immigrant domestic and sexual violence victims and children who suffer child abuse, abandonment or neglect vary by the type of immigration case the victim pursues, the state in which the victim lives and the benefit being sought. This workshop provides an overview of the range of publicly funded assistance available to undocumented immigrant victims and children and will discuss how when victims file for immigration benefits, over time their access to state and federally funded public benefits increases. The workshop will cover TANF, healthcare, housing, student grants and loans, child care, food stamps (SNAP), driver’s licenses and assistance with heating.