[pdf] 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 (+)

This pamphlet will explain domestic violence and inform you of your legal rights in the United States. The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) requires that the U.S. Government provide foreign fiancé(e)s and spouses immigrating to the United States information about their legal rights as well as criminal or domestic violence histories of their U.S. citizen fiancé(e)s and spouses. One of IMBRA’s goals is to provide accurate information to immigrating fiancé(e)s and spouses about the immigration process and how to access help if their relationship becomes abusive.

[pdf] New Dangers for Battered Immigrants: The Untold Effects When Immigrant Victims Have to Leave the U.S. to Obtain Lawful Permanent Residency as VAWA Self-Petitioners (+)

The stories recounted in this volume document the experiences of battered immigrants from around the country. In all of these cases, battered immigrants either filed or are in the process of filing self-petitions. Once the battered immigrant’s self-petition is approved the victim may apply for lawful permanent residency. The purpose of this compilation has been to highlight the potential hardships and dangers that battered immigrants face if they would be required to leave the United States and travel abroad to receive lawful permanent residency based upon their approved VAWA self-petition. Historically, battered immigrants abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses or parents have been generally able to attain lawful permanent residency while continuing to reside in the United States. The stories collected here were used to secure amendments in VAWA 2000 that together with DHS policies allow immigrant victims to obtain lawful permanent residency without being required to leave the United States.

[pdf] DHS Broadcast Message on New 384 Class of Admission Code (December 1, 2010) (+)

Broadcast from the Department of Homeland Security to DHS personnel on the creation of the Class of Admission “384” code in the Central Index System, that alerts personnel of an immigrant victim who is protected by VAWA confidentiality protections.

[pdf] Approval of Petitions and Applications after the Death of the Qualifying Relative under New Section 204(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (+)

This Policy Memorandum ensures that USCIS uniformly and consistently adjudicates petitions and applications in light of section 204(l) and 213A(f)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“the Act”), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1154(l) and 1183a(f)(5).

[pdf] Chapter 17.1: Emergency Medicaid: Urgent Medical Services for Immigrant Crime Victims and Children (December 7, 2016) (+)

Chapter in Empowering Survivors: Legal Rights of Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault. Under federal health care, public benefits and immigration laws states have obligations to provide emergency medicaid to immigrants without regard to immigration status. This includes immigrant victims of sexual assault. This chapter is intended to provide an overview regarding health benefits and emergency Medicaid for each state. It provides a chart detailing the definition of what services are provided in the emergency medicaid program, what is covered in each state, and provides a state-by-state chart detailing each state’s laws concerning emergency Medicaid, the coverage provided, and the application process involved.

[pdf] Escorting Detained Parents and Other Immigrants to Court (2010) (+)

This letter used together with the ICE Performance Based National Detention Standard on Escorted Trips for Non-Medical Emergencies (also included in this library) describes the system for securing attendance at court hearings for immigrants in ICE immigration detention. For parents in immigration detention this letter and the Non-Medical Emergency escort policy has been replaced by the 2013 Parental Interest Directive (also included in this library). This letter and the Non-Medical Emergency escort policy will have continued availability for use by courts and attorneys seeking to have detained immigrants appear in court for proceeding that do not involve children.

[pdf] Student Aid Eligibility – Eligibility for Title IV Aid for “Battered Immigrants-Qualified Aliens” as provided for in the Violence Against Women Act (+)

This letter describes the process by which a person who has documentation provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Service that supports a finding that the person is a “Battered Immigrant” and meets the definition of a “qualified alien” can qualify for Title IV, Higher Education Act (HEA) program assistance.

[pdf] Eligibility for Title IV Aid for “Battered Immigrants-Qualified Aliens” as Provided For in the Violence Against Women Act (+)

This letter describes the process by which a person who has documentation provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Service that supports a finding that the person is a “battered immigrant” and meets the definition of a “qualified alien” can qualify for Title IV, Higher Education Act (HEA) program assistance.

[pdf] Power of Attorney Designation Instructions for Guardianship of Child (June 2010) (+)

A guardianship election form is a notarized statement indicating who should have the authority to act as the temporary guardian of your child should a client be suddenly unavailable to care for their child. Circumstances include hospitalization or immigration detention.

[pdf] Attorney Guide to Representing Immigrant Victim Parents Who Are at Risk of Detention/Deportation, in detention, or Have Been Deported (+)

Toolkit of materials for representing immigrant victim parents in detention or deported. This tool kit was created with the expectation that an increase in the number of family law assistance for immigrant parents will emerge and also in the hopes that family law attorneys nationwide will be equipped to handle these specific cases and can volunteer their services.This tool kit can also be adapted and used in contested custody cases and abuse and neglect cases involving immigrant victims since many of the same issues arise.

[pdf] The Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Child Welfare (+)

While children of immigrants have a lot at stake in the discussions surrounding U.S. immigration policy, their interests remain largely ignored in the debate. For instance, little consideration is given to the impact of immigration enforcement on the 5.5 million children, the vast majority of whom are native-born U.S. citizens, living with at least one undocumented parent. Similarly overlooked are the significant challenges experienced by public child welfare agencies that encounter children separated from their parents due to immigration enforcement measures.
The U.S. child welfare system is based on the notion of ensuring the safety and best interest of the child; however, this principle is often compromised in the face of conflicting federal immigration policies and practices. This policy brief examines the intersection of immigration enforcement and child welfare and the difficulties facing immigrant families caught between the two systems. Recommendations are provided to prioritize keeping children with their families and out of the public child welfare system whenever possible and to ensure that separated families who do encounter the child welfare system receive appropriate care and due process.

[pdf] Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress (+)

This report focuses on human trafficking both internationally and within the United States. The report begins with an overview of human trafficking including a discussion of the definition of human trafficking, the scope of the problem globally, and an examination of the victims. It follows with an analysis of global anti-trafficking efforts by the United States and the international community. The report then focuses on trafficking into and within the United States, examining relief for trafficking victims in the United States and discussing U.S. law enforcement efforts to combat domestic trafficking. The report concludes with an overview of anti-trafficking legislation and an analysis of policy issues related to human trafficking.

[pdf] Experiences of Immigrant Women Who Self-Petition Under the Violence Against Women Act (+)

Undocumented immigrant women who are abused and living in the United States are isolated in a foreign country, in constant fear of deportation, and feel at the mercy of their spouse to gain legal status. To ensure that immigration law does not trap women in abusive relationships, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA, 1994) enabled immigrant women to self-petition for legal status. Qualitative research methods were used in this participatory action research to investigate the experiences of Mexican immigrant women filing VAWA self-petitions. Emotional, financial, and logistic barriers in applying are identified, and recommendations for practice research and policy are provided.

[pdf] Adjudication Forms I-212 for Aliens Inadmissible Under Section 212(a)(9)(C) or Subject to Reinstatement Under Section 241(a)(5) of the INA in light of Gonzalez v. DHS (+)

Memorandum superseding and rescinding entirely the March 31, 2006 memorandum entitles ‘Effect of Gonzalez v. Ashcroft on adjudication of Form I-212 applications filed by alien who are subject to reinstated removal orders under INA Section 241(a)(5)”

[pdf] Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Provisions (+)

USCIS Memorandum to inform immigration service officers working Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) petitions about new legislation which affects the adjudication of petitions filed for SIJ status.

[pdf] An Abbreviated Sketch of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 100-457): Criminal Law Provisions (+)

Report to accompany H.R. 972. The Committee on International Relations, to whom the bill (H.R. 972) was referred to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 100-457): Criminal Law Provisions (+)

The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 7311), passed both the House and the Senate on December 10, 2008. the President signed it into law on December 23, 2008, P.L. 110-457, 122 Stat. 5044 (2008). It bolsters federal efforts to combat both international and domestic traffic in human beings. Among other initiatives, it expands pre-existing law enforcement authority and the criminal proscriptions in the area.

[pdf] T and U-visa Holders Need Legal Permanent Residency: Real Life Stories (+)

A collection of real life stories that illustrate the hardships U visa and T visa holders face without access to lawful permanent residency included in the U visa and T visa statues. This collection was submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Budget and Management as part of advocacy to secure issuance and influence the protections that would be included in the T and U visa lawful permanent residency (adjustment of status) regulations.

[pdf] William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3887 as Passed by the House): Criminal Law Provisions (+)

The criminal law proposals found in H.R. 3887 as it passed the House include newly-assigned sex trafficking offenses, a sex tourism offense, a coerced services offense, obstruction of justice offenses, an importation of prostitutes offense, a false statement offense, and provisions for civil liability, victim assistance, forfeiture, extraterritorial jurisdiction, Justice Department reorganization, and a model state statute.

[pdf] Federal Register: New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity for Eligibility for ‘‘U’’ Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa Regulations) (September 17, 2007) (+)

Federal Register for new classification for victims of criminal activity for the eligibility for ‘‘U’’ nonimmigrant status. This interim rule amends Department of Homeland Security regulations to establish the requirements and procedures for aliens seeking U nonimmigrant status. The U nonimmigrant classification is available to alien victims of certain criminal activity who assist government officials in investigating or prosecuting such criminal activity.

[pdf] Guidance for Adjudication of Family-Based Petitions and I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) Under the Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act of 2006 (+)

Title IV of the Adam Walsh Act, “Immigration Law Reforms to Prevent Sex Offenders from Abusing Children” contains two provisions that amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act). This memorandum provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices regarding the amendments made by the Adam Walsh Act to sections 204(a)(1)(A)(i), 204(a)(1)(B)(i), 101(a)(15)(K), and 237(a)(2)(A) of the Act.

[pdf] Memorandum: Interim Guidance Relating to Officer Procedure Following Enactment of VAWA 2005 (+)

Memorandum from John Torres to Field Office Directors and Special Agents in Charge providing guidance to operational units of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the new confidentiality procedures created by VAWA 2005 in cases involving individuals who may be eligible to apply for VAWA benefits or T or U visas.

[pdf] VAWA 2005 Immigration Provisions (+)

While VAWA 1994 and 2000 made significant progress in reducing violence against immigrant women, there are still many women and children whose lives are in danger today. Many VAWA-eligible victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or trafficking are still being deported. Others remain economically trapped by abusers or traffickers in life-threatening situations. Some needy victims of family violence, including incest survivors and elder abuse victims, are totally cut off from VAWA’s immigration protections. Finally, many trafficking victims are too afraid to cooperate with law enforcement for fear that traffickers will retaliate against their family members. VAWA 2005 eliminates some of the major obstacles immigrant crime survivors face in achieving safety and legal immigration status.

[pdf] Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (+)

Full text of 42 U.S.C. 13701, Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, to enhance judicial and law enforcement tools to combat violence against women; improving services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; protection of battered and trafficked immigrants; etc.

[pdf] Report on Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 Part II (+)

Report to accompany H.R. 972. The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 972) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] Report on Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 Part I (+)

Report to accompany H.R. 972. The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 972) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] Eligibility to Self-Petition as a Battered Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Within Two Years of the Abuser’s Loss of Status (+)

Memorandum providing guidance to USCIS officers regarding amendments made to the self-petitioning provisions of the INA by the VTVPA concerning the change in the self-petitioning eligibility requirements regarding the effect of an abuser’s loss of immigration status prior to the filing of and following the approval of a self-petition.

[pdf] Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (+)

This rule makes the final the interim rule amending the Department’s regulations pertaining to foreign students and exchange visitors who enter the United States in F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa categories. The new regulations will establish the verification and reporting procedures required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) foreign student monitoring system known as Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

[pdf] Age-Out Protections Afforded Battered Children Pursuant to The Child Status Protection Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (+)

Memorandum providing guidance to USCIS personnel concerning the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the Child Status Protection Act concerning the interrelationship between the age-out provisions of these two laws.

[pdf] Extension of Validity Period for Notices of Prima Facie Case Issued in Connection with a Form 1-360 Filed by a Self-petitioning Battered Spouse/Child (+)

USCIS memorandum providing supplemental guidance to the Vermont Service Center regarding the handling of “Notices of Prima Facie Case” issued in connection with I-360 self-petitions by spouses and children of abusive US citizens and lawful permanent residences.

[pdf] Yates Memo on Extension of Conditional Residence (December 2, 2003) (+)

Memorandum providing guidance on what documentation may be given to a conditional resident, as evidence of their status, who has received a 1-year extension on their conditional residency pursuant to the Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986, but battered spouse waiver case has not yet been adjudicated.

[pdf] Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 Part II (+)

Report to accompany H.R. 2620. The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2620) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having considered the same report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] Report on Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 Part I (+)

Report to accompany H.R. 2620. The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2620) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] The Child Status Protection Act- Memorandum Number 2 (+)

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide additional guidance to Service officers concerning this new law. As with the previous memorandum, while this memorandum will provide examples of cases that may be affected by the CSPA, it is impossible to anticipate and address every possible scenario.

[pdf] The Child Status Protection Act (+)

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide preliminary guidance to Service officers concerning the amendments made to the Act by the CSPA. While this memorandum will provide examples of cases that may be effected by the CSPA, it is impossible to anticipate and address every possible scenario. As a note, the sections of the CSPA that address children of asylees and refugees will be addressed in a separate memorandum.

[pdf] Eligibility to Self-Petition as an Intended Spouse of an Abusive U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (+)

Memorandum discussing eligibility and required evidence for a battered “intented spouse” (i.e. a battered alien who believed s/he was married to a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident, but later discovered the marriage was not legitimate because of the bigamy of the USC or LPR) to self-petition.

[pdf] Offering a Helping Hand: Legal Protections for Battered Immigrant Women: A History of Legislative Responses (March 1, 2002) (+)

This article chronicles the legislative history of immigration protections afforded immigrant crime victims in the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) of 1994 and 2000, through the Battered Spouse Waiver, and through VAWA Confidentiality, the history and development of the VAWA self-petition, VAWA cancellation of removal, the battered spouse waiver, any credible evidence standard, VAWA confidentiality, benefits access for battered immigrant VAWA self-petitioners and cancellation/suspension applicants, the U-Visa, victim’s ability to obtain lawful permanent residency in the U.S. and Legal Services Corporation funded legal assistance are discussed in detail. This article collects and publishes information contained in documents developed during advocacy that led to the passage of federal immigration law legislation creating each of these protections.

[pdf] Eligibility to Self-Petition as a Battered Spouse of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Within Two Years of Divorce (+)

Memorandum describing change to the VAWA self-petition provisions made by VTVPA that preserves self-petitioning eligibility for former spouses if the marriage was legally terminated during the 2-year period immediately preceding the filing of the self-petition.

[pdf] Crossing the Threshold to Safety: Stories of Immigrant Crime Victims Who Will Benefit From Attaining U-visas (+)

Stories of victims who will benefit from U visa protections. These stories were collected as part of the effort to secure regulations implementing the U visa protections that became law as part of VAWA 2005.

[pdf] Documentary Requirements for VAWA Cases (February 2014) (+)

Under the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) of 1994 and 2013, battered immigrant women may be eligible for two kinds of immigration relief: 1.) VAWA self-petitions and 2.) VAWA cancellation of removal (formerly suspension of deportation). These two forms of relief can lead to lawful permanent residence for the applicant. The following memo lists the requirements that must be met by an applicant, and some suggestions of evidence that may be offered to meet each requirement. The regulations accompanying VAWA recommend the submission of certain types of documents with the self-petition. Some of these are named below. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is required, however, to consider “any credible evidence”. The suggested evidentiary documents in this memo are meant to be guidelines, and not exhaustive descriptions of the types of evidence that may be offered to support a petition under VAWA.

[pdf] Lifetime Prevalence of Violence Against Latina Immigrants: Legal and Policy Implications (+)

This article examines the prevalence of various forms of domestic violence experienced by Latina immigrant women, the nature of the battering and extreme cruelty they experience, and public policy implications of the findings. The this research found high levels of intimate partner abuse experienced by immigrant Latinas and publishes data about immigrant victims in married to citizens and lawful permanent residents that Congress relied upon in when creating VAWA self-petitioning in 1994. Includes a discussion of immigration related abuse, details about the types of physical, sexual and emotional abuse victims suffered, describes the types of emotional abuse that are significantly related to physical and sexual abuse, and provides empirical data documenting several of the factors that in and of themselves or collectively constitute “extreme cruelty” under U.S. immigration laws.

[pdf] Federal Register: Proposed Asylum Regulations (+)

This rule proposes to amend the Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations that govern establishing asylum and withholding eligibility. This rule provides guidance on the definitions of “persecution” and “membership in a particular social group,” as well as what it means for a persecution to be “on account of” a protected characteristic in the definition of a refugee.

[pdf] Proposed Rule Issued for Gender-Based Asylum Claims (+)

A news release on the Attorney General and the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s (INS) announcement regarding the publication of regulations that establish a broad analytical framework for the consideration of asylum claims based on membership in a particular social group. The proposed rule recognizes that victims of domestic violence may qualify for asylum under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

[pdf] Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Part II (+)

Report, with Minority Views, to accompany H.R. 3244. The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 3244) to combat trafficking of persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and slavery-like conditions, in the United States and countries around the world through prevention, through prosecution and enforcement against traffickers, and through protection and assistance to victims of trafficking, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

[pdf] Guidance on Standards and Methods for Determining Whether a Substantial Connection Exists Between Battery or Extreme Cruelty and Need for Specific Public Benefits (December 11, 1997) (+)

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), as amended by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, provides that certain categories of aliens who have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty in the United States are “qualified aliens” eligible for certain federal, state, and local public benefits. To be qualified under this provision, an alien must demonstrate, among other things, that there is a substantial connection between the battery or extreme cruelty and the need for the public benefit sought. This notice provides guidance to benefit providers regarding substantial connection determinations.

[pdf] Supplemental Guidance on Battered Alien Self-Petitioning Process and Related Issues (+)

Memorandum moving VAWA self-petitioning adjudications to a centralized unit the “VAWA Unit” at the Vermont Service Center. This memo moved VAWA self-petitioning adjudications from INS field offices and regional service centers across the country to the VAWA Unit for adjudication VAWA self-petitioning applications filed by abused immigrant spouses and children who had suffered battery or extreme cruelty perpetrated by their U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent resident spouses and parents.

[pdf] Memorandum: Supplemental Guidance on Battered Alien Self-Petitioning Process and Related Issues (+)

Memorandum from Paul Virtue outlining changes in the handling of I-360 self-petitions for immigrant status filed by battered spouses and children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents aliens and addresses related issues.