Improving Access to Justice for Immigrant Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence (November 21, 2024) [pdf]

This plenary provided specific and practical examples of the important roles state court judges can play in ensuring access to justice when immigration law issues arise in state court cases. Judges will learn to identify victims who qualify for abuse-based forms of humanitarian immigration relief that improve safety, stability and economic security for victims and their children. Faculty will discuss what judges need to know about immigration laws and language access when hearing protection order, divorce, custody, criminal, and child welfare cases involving immigrant victims. By accessing and applying legally correct information about immigration and language access laws judges can ensure that immigrant victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, child abuse and human trafficking attain just and fair outcomes in state court proceedings. This training was sponsored by the Supreme Court of Virginia, Department of Judicial Services, Domestic Violence Programs and Services at the 2024 Virgina Judicial Conference.