Topic: Immigration

Materials and best practices regarding immigration.

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[pdf] DRAFT Standard Operating Procedures Directive Applicable to All ICE, CBP and OPLA Officials who Encounter Victims of Crime or Abuse, VAWA Confidentiality Protected Persons, and/or Victims, Witnesses or Parties in Legal Proceedings (February 28, 2022) (+)

Draft Standard Operating Procedures Directive for ICE, CBP and OPLA developed and submitted to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by Leslye E. Orloff on February 28, 2022. Developed with the assistance of Rafaela Rodrigues.

Published February 28,2022 by

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[pdf] Extending VAWA Confidentiality and 384 Protections to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Eligible Immigrant Children (January 31, 2023) (+)

This memo submitted to the Council on Combatting Gender-Based Violence at DHS on January 31, 2023 discusses why SIJS children should receive the same VAWA confidentiality protections as all other immigrant survivors protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).

Published January 31, 2023 by

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[pdf] Legislative History of VAWA (94,00,05), T and U-Visas, Battered Spouse Waiver, and VAWA Confidentiality (January 5, 2023) (+)

This document recounts the legislative history of laws offering protection for victims of domestic violence sexual assault and human trafficking with a particular focus on the immigration relief developed by Congress to protect immigrant survivors.

Published January 5, 2023 by

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[pdf] HHS: Instructions Requests for Assistance for Child Victims of Human Trafficking (Current as of 2022) (+)

Provides instructions that professionals working with immigrant children who are victims of human trafficking (sex or labor) can us to file requests for assistance with HHS. These requests for assistance lead to issuance of child eligibility letters that make immigrant trafficked children eligible for federal and state public benefits to the same extent as refugees. Children must apply while they are under the age of 18. Eligibility letters once issues do not end and last until the child can apply for and be granted a T visa or lawful permanent residency through another form of immigration relief.

Published December 3, 2022 by

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[pdf] Issuance of Child Eligibility Letters on or after Applicant’s 18th Birthday if Application Received Prior to 18th Birthday (May 11, 2016) (+)

Program Instruction for HHS, Administration on Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) explaining that when children file Requests for Assistance while the child is under the age of 19, if the child turns 18 during the HHS eligibility determination process and/or receives their HHS eligibility letter after they turn age 18, they remain able to receive and use the HHS eligibility letter indefinitely as a basis to receive federal and state public benefits to the same extent as refugees.

Published May 11, 2016 by

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[pdf] Appendix D1 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 6 (October 7, 2022) (+)

This Appendix explains the purpose, background and eligibility requirements of SIJS. It discusses documentation, evidence, adjudication, appeals, motions to reopen, and motions to reconsider, and finally Data about SIJS.

This publication was developed under grant number SJI-20-E-005 from the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute.

Published October 7, 2022 by

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[pdf] Appendix D2 – USCIS SIJS Policy Manual Full – Vol 7 (October 7, 2022) (+)

This Appendix is a USCIS policy manual on the adjustment of status in Special Immigrant Juvenile cases. It explains the purpose and background and eligibility requirements. If further discusses adjudication the documentation and evidence.

This publication was developed under grant number SJI-20-E-005 from the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute.

Published March 7, 2022 by

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[pdf] Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Regulations 1993, 2009, 2011, and 2022 (October 3, 2022) (+)

This document compares and contrasts the original 1993 rule on Special Immigrant Juvenile
Status, a 2009 amendment to this rule, the 2011 proposed rule on Special Immigrant Juvenile
Status, and the subsequently adopted 2022 rule that went into effect on March 8, 2022. The 2022
rule significantly amended prior versions of the rule, including the 2011 proposed rule. This
document will help readers understand the 2022 rule amendments and which portions of the
1993 and 2009 versions of the rule remain intact, as well as which portions of the 2011 proposed
rule remained in the final rule.

Published October 3, 2022 by

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[pdf] USCIS Naturalization for Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJS) (September 21, 2022) (+)

Fact Sheet developed by USCIS describing the benefits and process for immigrant children who were victims of abuse, abandonment, neglect or similar harm perpetrated by at least one of the child’s parents who were granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status by USCIS and gained lawful permanent residency through the SIJS program.

Published September 21, 2022 by

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[pdf] USCIS Naturalization for Lawful Permanent Residents Who Had T or U Nonimmigrant Status (September 21, 2022) (+)

Fact Sheet developed by USCIS describing the benefits and process for immigrant victims of trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other criminal activities who were granted T or U visas and obtained lawful permanent residency through the T visa or U visa programs.

Published September 21, 2022 by

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[pdf] USCIS Naturalization for VAWA Lawful Permanent Residents (September 21, 2022) (+)

Fact Sheet developed by USCIS describing the benefits and process for abused immigrant spouses, children and parents who obtained lawful permanent residency through forms of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) immigration relief.

Published September 21, 2022 by

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[pdf] Relevancy of a Victim’s Immigration Status in State Criminal Court Proceedings (August 24, 2022) (+)

This publication provides prosecutors with case law and statutory analysis regarding when and under what circumstances a victim’s immigration status is considered relevant or irrelevant in a criminal case. It looks at how courts across the country handle evidence of a victim’s immigration status generally, addresses how courts treat a witness’s immigration status evidence in criminal proceedings, in particular, and offers prosecutors strategies and useful resources.

Published August 24, 2022

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[pdf] In Re Guardianship of Saul H. California Supreme Court Ruling Summary (August 18, 2022) (+)

This document provides and overview for state court judges issuing Special Immigrant Juvenile Predicate Orders of the California Supreme Court ruling on August 15, 2022, in In re Guardianship of Saul H. The Court overturned a state probate trial court that refused to issue a predicate order to an immigrant child who suffered abuse and neglect perpetrated by his parents. Despite the uncontroverted evidence about the abuse and neglect by Saul’s parents, the probate court denied his request of SIJS findings. Saul appealed and the Court of Appeals affirmed, but on the California Supreme Court reversed, with all justices concurring. In In re Guardianship of Saul H., the California Supreme Court provides very helpful clarification and direction that will assist trial courts and appellate courts in California and nationally for state courts carrying out their Congressionally assigned role issuing predicate orders that are a required of immigrant children filing SIJS applications. The training tool for state court judges and lawyers summarizes the California Supreme Courts ruling.

Published August 18, 2022 by

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[pdf] DHS Enforcement Priorities, Courthouse Enforcement and Sensitive Location Policies and Memoranda Information for State Court Judges (December 27, 2021) (+)

This Bench Card helps courts understand the laws that protect immigrant crime victims from immigration enforcement activities, DHS immigration enforcement priorities and limitations placed by federal statute and by Department of Homeland Security policies on immigration enforcement at courthouses. Additionally, understanding which locations DHS considers sensitive locations will help courts craft orders that help children and families. This bench card provides courts access to legally correct information about immigration law that courts can apply when they are called upon to adjudicate cases in which a party has raised an immigration issue in state court.

This bench card has been updated to reflect the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement Priorities that require a cases by case consideration of the totality of the circumstances and mitigating factors that include crime victimization, being a caregiver of children, incapacitated adults, and/or elder parents, as well as other factors including length of time in the U.S., and education in the U.S. There are three enforcement priorities: risk to national security/terrorism, unlawful entry into the U.S. after November 1, 2020, and current threat to public safety typically because of serious criminal conduct. The later two enforcement priorities requires an assessment of mitigating factors and the totality of the facts and circumstances.

Published December 27, 2021 by

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[pdf] In Re Guardianship of Saul H (CA S. Ct 8.15.22) (+)

On August 15, 2022, the California Supreme Court published its opinion on In re Guardianship of Saul H in which that Court overturned a state court that refused to issue a predicate order to an immigrant child who suffered abuse and neglect perpetrated by his parents. Despite the uncontroverted evidence about the abuse and neglect by Saul’s parents, the probate court denied his request of SIJS findings. Saul appealed and the Court of Appeals affirmed, but on the California Supreme Court reversed, with all justices concurring. In In re Guardianship of Saul H., the California Supreme Court provides very helpful clarification and direction that will assist trial courts and appellate courts in California and nationally for state courts carrying out their Congressionally assigned role issuing predicate orders that are a required of immigrant children filing SIJS applications.

Published August 15, 2022 by

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[pdf] Administrative Appeals Office Non-Precedent Decision In Re: 12890448 (September 14, 2021) (+)

USCIS AAO non precedent decision granting SIJS child who was abandoned and neglected by her father who did not support her and who was residing with her non-abusive mother in Texas at the time of the state court order. To qualify for SIJS a child need only be abused, abandoned or neglected by one parent and can be living with the non-abusive parent. Where the Texas court applied Texas child welfare laws to deny the father access to the child such a determination is sufficient to support the court’s determination that reunification with the father was not viable and the child was eligible for SIJS. The state court need only conduct an individualized assessment under state law for SIJS findings to be sufficient for SIJS purposes.

Published September 14, 2021 by

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[pdf] Administrative Appeals Office Non-Precedent Decision In Re: 13258676 (November 24, 2021) (+)

Non-precedent decision for the USCIS AAO granting SIJS to an over 18 year old minor in Texas where the state court had continuing jurisdiction to issue SIJS findings because the state court retained jurisdiction under Texas law in a case in which an abusive mother was ordered to pay child support and under state law the child support order gave the Texas court continuing jurisdiction over the abused child after they turned 18. The court’s jurisdiction was for the purpose of remedying child abuse and providing the child abuse victim support so SIJS findings issues in the child support case under Texas law were not for the sole purpose of SIJS immigration relief.

Published November 24, 2021 by

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[pdf] USCIS Policy Alert – Policy Manual Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Adjustment of Status (June 10, 2022) (+)

USCIS policy alert discussing updates to the SIJS policy manual. Highlights include:

• Confirms that USCIS relies on the expertise of the juvenile court in making child welfare decisions and does not reweigh the evidence to determine if the child was subjected to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law.
• Clarifies that in order to consent to the grant of SIJ classification, USCIS must review the juvenile court order(s) and any supplemental evidence submitted by the petitioner to conclude that the request for SIJ classification is bona fide.
• Explains that the evidentiary requirements for DHS consent include the factual basis for the required juvenile court determinations, as well as the relief from parental abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law granted or recognized by the juvenile court.
• Provides that relief from parental maltreatment may include the court-ordered custodial placement, the court-ordered dependency on the court for the provision of child welfare services, and/or other court-ordered or court-recognized protective or remedial relief.
• Explains that the evidentiary requirements for establishing the age of an SIJ petitioner include a petitioner’s valid birth certificate, official government-issued identification, or any other document that in USCIS’ discretion establishes the petitioner’s age, which may include affidavits or secondary evidence of age.
• Removes marriage as a basis for automatic revocation of the petition for SIJ classification.

Published June 10, 2022 by

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[pdf] Mayorkas Memorandum: Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law (+)

This memorandum outlines three priorities for civil immigration enforcement: threats to (1) national security, (2) public safety, and (3) border security. It also emphasizes a wholistic approach when reviewing a noncitizen’s criminal and administrative record to learn of the totality of the facts and circumstances. The memorandum concludes by highlighting the importance of preserving civil […]

Published September 30, 2021 by

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[pdf] Doyle Memorandum ICE Guidance to OPLA Attorneys (April 3, 2022) (+)

This memorandum further elaborates on the definition of the three enforcement priorities for Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) attorneys outlined in the Mayorkas Memorandum. These enforcement priorities include: threat to national security, threat to public safety, and threat to border security. This memo also informs OPLA attorneys on procedures for implementing and documenting […]

Published April 3, 2022 by ,

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[pdf] Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration Policies Released in 2021 and 2022 That Are Important for Immigrant Survivors (May 17, 2022) (+)

This document contains a list of policies issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that are important to and impact cases of immigrant survivors of crime and abuse that enhance both protections from deportation for survivors and access to immigration relief under the following programs: VAWA self-petitions, U visas, T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Battered Spouse Waivers and INA Section 106 Work Authorization for Abused Spouses of A, E(3), G and H visa holders. The link to each policy is followed by a description of the policy and how it is helpful to immigrant survivors.

Published May 17, 2022 by

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[pdf] USCIS: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Classification and Deferred Action (March 7, 2022) (+)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to consider deferred action (and related employment authorization) for noncitizens with approved Special Immigrant Juveniles Status (SIJS) cases who are ineligible to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status solely due to visa unavailability.

Published March 7, 2022 by

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[pdf] USCIS Policy Manual Updates: T Visa Status for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons (October 20, 2021) (+)

Policy Alert describing updates to the T visa section of the USCIS policy manual. Volume 3: Humanitarian Protection and Parole, Part B, Victims of Trafficking https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-3-part-b and Volume 9: Waivers and Other Forms of Relief, Part O, Victims of Trafficking https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-9-part-o

Published October 29m 2021 by

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*SJI and National Judicial Network Training Materials (Last Updated June 8, 2023)

Technical Assistance NIWAP also offers technical assistance for judges and court staff. Find out how to receive  NIWAP’s technical assistance from NIWAP’s experts and judicial faculty here. If you are a judge or judicial faculty, please consider joining our National Judicial Network. You can find more information about the National Judicial Network here. Most Updated […]

Published May 17, 2022

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[pdf] DHS Takes Victim-Centered Approach Press Release (October 20, 2021) (+)

Press release describing the role all components of DHS have been directed to take to ensure that immigrant victims are treated by DHS officials in a manner that takes a victim centered approach. Describing how this approach both meets the humanitarian needs of victims and helps DHS play a role in fighting crime.

Published October 20, 2021 by

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[pdf] Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension (May 4, 2022) (+)

Polices governing automatic extension of work authorization (EAD) for the immigrants and applicants with the follow types of immigration cases. The letters and numbers will be on the immigrants work authorization card: refugees (a)(3); asylees (a)(5); N-8 or N-9 visa holders (brothers, sisters, children and parents of NATO employees) (a)(7); Citizen of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau (a)(8); granted withholding of deportation or removal (a)(10); Temporary Protected Status (TPS)(a)(12); Spouse of E visa holder (a)(17); L-2 spouse of L-1 visa holder (a)(18); pending asylum application (c)(8); pending lawful permanent residency (adjustment) application (c)(9); applicants for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal or special rule NACARA cancellation (c)(10); adjustment based on continuous residency since 1972 (c)(16); applicants prima facie eligible for TPS (c)(19); pending I-700 legalization (c)(20); pending I-687 legalization (c)(22); LIFE legalization (c)(24); H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holder (c)(26); and VAWA self-petitioners (c)(31).

Published May 4, 2022 by

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[pdf] Instructions for Request for a Fee Waiver (I-912) (September 03, 2021) (+)

USCIS Form to be used for waivers in cases of immigrant survivors:
1. Battered spouses of A, G, E-3, or H nonimmigrants (such as Forms I-485, I-601 and I-212);
2. Battered spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen under INA section 240A(b)(2);
3. T nonimmigrant (such as Forms I-192, I-485, and I-601);
4. Temporary Protected Status (such as Forms I-131, I-821 and I-601);
5. U nonimmigrant (such as Forms I-192, I-485, and I-929); or
6. VAWA self–petitioner (such as Forms I-485, I-601 and I-212).

Published October 15, 2019 by

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[pdf] Bench Card: Overview of Types of Immigration Status (April 21, 2022) (+)

This bench card is designed to provide quick access for state criminal, family, and juvenile court judges to help them identify the various types of status that immigrants in the state court might have. It is aimed at assisting judges in recognizing non-citizen parties before them who might need the advice of immigration counsel or other sources of assistance as to how their immigration status might affect or be affected by actions in their state court case. In addition, it is aimed at assisting state court judges in recognizing how their actions might jeopardize a non-citizen’s immigration status.
This bench card is not meant to be an in-depth treatise on immigration law or intended to provide definitive answers regarding immigration rights. Judges using the bench card should be aware that immigration law and the DHS policies that implement U.S. immigration laws are continuously changing.

Published April 21, 2022 by

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[pdf] Chapter 03.4: VAWA Cancellation of Removal (July 10, 2013) (+)

This chapter provides basic information on VAWA cancellation of removal, lists the eligibility requirements that must be met by an applicant, and provides some suggested examples of evidence that an attorney or advocate may offer to meet each requirement. This chapter is designed to help advocates and attorneys who are not immigration attorneys identify immigrant victims who may be eligible for cancellation of removal. The information provided will also be useful to immigration attorneys who may not have experience with domestic violence, sexual assault, or incest cases. This chapter will help them to work in collaboration with advocates and other attorneys assisting immigrant victims. The most successful cancellation of removal cases are those in which advocates and civil attorneys support the efforts of the immigration attorney.

Published July 10, 2013 by

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[pdf] NIWAP, Comments on USCIS VAWA Self-Petitioning Policy Manual Chapters (March 9, 2022) (+)

NIWAP’s comment provide legislative history and social science evidence based research to support USCIS’s formal implementation in the VAWA self-petitioning chapters of the USCIS Policy Manual of virtually all of the VAWA statutory reforms that were included in VAWA 2000, VAWA 2005 and VAWA 2013 that became law after the VAWA self-petitioning regulations were issued in 1996. The first section of these comments discusses these issued. In reviewing the policy manual we also identified a few areas in which the policy manual does not implement or does not fully implement VAWA statutes and in one case imposes a policy that is inconsistent with VAWA’s goals, legislative history, and the reasoning of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The areas of improvement NIWAP suggests in these comment focus largely on four important issues for which we seek improvements in the Policy Manual’s approach:
— We appreciate that USCIS adopted the 7th Circuit’s opinion in Arguijo and has applied it nationally ensuring that divorce will not cut of abused stepchildren from VAWA self-petitioning and NIWAP requests and provides the legal and social science support for treating abused stepchildren whose biological parent dies identically instead of forcing abused stepchildren to maintain an ongoing relationship with their abusive stepparent after the death of their biological parent in order to self-petition;
— We propose policy manual revisions that do not treat crimes committed by victims related to the battering or extreme cruelty they suffered as aggravated felonies barring them permanently from self-petitioning and forcing them into the U visa backlog as their only immigration option. This approach cuts victims off from the domestic violence victim waiver that Congress created to help victims with convictions from pleas they took in domestic violence criminal cases where they had acted in self-defense or when they stole baby food when fleeing their abuser and ended up with a one year suspended sentence for the theft which is an aggravated felony under U.S. immigration laws;
–Remarriage: Congress in VAWA 2000 revised VAWA statutes and explained in legislative history that their intent to ensure that remarriage of VAWA self-petitioners would not impact a filed self-petition reflecting an understanding of how remarriage to a non-abusive partner can help victims heal and can play a role in improving victim safety; and
–Naturalization: In VAWA 2000 Congress amended the naturalization statute to allow spouses of U.S. citizens who are battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by their citizen spouse to not have to remain living in an abusive home and remain married to their abused to be able to naturalize in 3 years as opposed to 5 years. This provision was meant to help any abused spouse of a U.S. citizen whether the abuser filed a family-based visa petition or whether the victim filed a self-petition. Implementing policies limited these protections to VAWA self-petitioners, VAWA cancellation and Battered Spouse Waiver applicants, leaving out VAWA suspension of deportation victims and all other battered spouses of U.S. citizens.

Published March 9, 2022 by

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[vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet] Immigration Status: Work Authorization, Public Benefits, and Ability to Sponsor Children (December 30, 2021) (+)

This chart allows judges, lawyers and victim advocates to identify which immigrants are able to sponsor their children to attain legal immigration status in the U.S., if and when an immigrant has or will have access to work authorization, whether and when immigrants gain access to state and federal public benefits, the effect of divorce on immigration status and whether the immigrant controls their own immigration case or if they immigration case requires that the immigrant’s application for immigration relief requires a sponsor. This chart provides general answers to these questions, by the form of immigration status a noncitizen has or is pursuing and will help state courts, victim advocates and family lawyers quickly access legally correct information about how immigration laws may or may not impact parties in state family court cases. This chart also provides useful comparisons for immigration lawyers.

Published December 30, 2021 by

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[pdf] Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Regulations Final Rule Federal Register (March 8, 2022) (+)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published final rule governing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, filings, adjudications and access to lawful permanent residency for SIJS children. These rules incorporate statutory changes made since issuance of the prior rule and clarify eligibility requirements. Incorporates statutory amendments from The Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-416, 108 Stat. 4319 (Jan. 25, 1994); The Departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (CJS 1998 Appropriations Act), Pub. L. 105-119, 111 Stat. 2440 (Nov. 26, 1997); The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act
of 2005 (VAWA 2005), Pub. L. 109-162, 119 Stat. 2960 (Jan. 5, 2006); and The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA 2008), Pub. L. 110-457, 112 Stat. 5044 (Dec. 23, 2008).

Published March 8, 2022 by

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[pdf] Amicus Brief Matter of MA (March 23, 2020) Board of Immigration Appeals (+)

The amici submit this brief in support of Respondent (“Mr. M.A.”) seeking reversal of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (“EOIR”) immigration judge’s October 17, 2019 decision denying Mr. M.A’s petition for (a) Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) cancellation of removal pursuant to Section 240A(b)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”); (b) asylum pursuant to Section 208 of the INA; (c) withholding of removal pursuant to Section 241(b)(3) of the INA; and (d) protection under the Convention Against Torture, pursuant to 8C.F.R.§1208.16. Amici specifically submit this brief requesting the Board of Immigration Appeal (“Board”) to remedy the flagrant and egregious violations of VAWA’s confidentiality provisions that occurred in Mr. M.A.’s detention and removal proceedings. The Board should remedy these violations by terminating the present removal proceedings— a measure envisioned by Congress when it renewed the VAWA legislation in 2005 (see infra Sections III, IV), or, in the alternative, by reversing and remanding this matter to a different immigration judge.

Published March 23, 2020

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[pdf] U Visa Certification and T visa Declaration Toolkit for Federal, State and Local Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates and Other Judicial Officers (June 17, 2021) (+)

This helpful, informative U visa certification tool kit for judges and magistrates covers materials on topics such as: what is the role of judges in U visa certification, U visa quick references for judges, U visa certification introduction, U visa application flow chart, judges and the U visa certification requirement, U visa statutory and regulatory background, frequently asked questions, redacted I-918 supplement B (U nonimmigrant status certification), form I-918 supplement B (sample judges’ certification), sample information flyer for victims, resource list, sample memorandum in support of a motion for U visa certification, sample declaration for a motion for certification, glossary of terms, and collection of U visa news articles.

Published June 17, 2021 by

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[pdf] USCIS VAWA Self-Petitions Policy Manual (February 10, 2022) (+)

USCIS published this policy guidance governing VAWA self-petition adjudications. This is a pdf word searchable download of the full VAWA self-petitioning chapter of the policy manual with all of its subparts. This version is current as of February 10, 2022. For the most up-to-date version and working hyperlinks see the on-line version at https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-3-part-d

Published February 10, 2022 by

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[pdf] DHS Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking (January 25, 2022) (+)

This fact sheet was released together with the Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month (2022):
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of Public Affairs
________________________________________
Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

“Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime that impacts an estimated 25 million people, here in the United States and abroad. Victims too often suffer in silence and perpetrators are too seldom brought to justice. National Human Trafficking Prevention Month is a time to reaffirm the Department’s commitment to seeing those victims, hearing their stories, and preventing the horrific acts of human trafficking before they occur. We will bring the full weight of the Department of Homeland Security – our resources and our dedicated personnel – to identify and protect victims and to investigate and arrest perpetrators.

“Across DHS, our tremendous professionals lead this work each day.
• The DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking leverages the resources of 16 DHS Agencies and Offices to combat both sex trafficking and forced labor.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents investigate these crimes and help prosecute the perpetrators.
• The HSI Victim Assistance Program supports victims with critical emergency assistance and connects victims with non-governmental organizations that provide short- and long-term direct services.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigates allegations of forced labor in U.S. supply chains and bars goods made with forced labor from entering the country.
• The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers educates law enforcement about the indicators of trafficking and best practices for supporting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
• We raise awareness about these heinous crimes through our signature public awareness and education campaign, the DHS Blue Campaign, and our partnerships with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, businesses, airlines, schools, non-profits, legal organizations, and many others.
• Finally, and critically, DHS personnel are trained to recognize and report indicators of human trafficking in the course of their daily duties interacting with the public, including Transportation Security Administration officers, Federal Air Marshals, service members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services benefits adjudicators, and more.
“Combating human trafficking is truly a whole of DHS effort.

“During this past year, HSI Special Agents made more than 2,360 human trafficking arrests, identified and assisted more than 728 trafficking victims, and issued the first-ever comprehensive Continued Presence Resource Guide. USCIS released the first-ever standalone T Visa Resource Guide for law enforcement and certifying agencies, and approved 559 T visas for victims of trafficking and 451 T visas for their qualifying family members. CBP detained and seized more than 1,550 shipments containing nearly $500 million in merchandise linked to forced labor abroad, a 900 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2020.

“Last year, I directed all DHS Agencies and Offices to incorporate a victim-centered approach into every policy, program, and activity that impacts our Department’s interactions with victims of crime. I also released a worksite enforcement strategy that focuses our enforcement efforts on unscrupulous employers who exploit unauthorized workers, including through force, fraud, or coercion. We can, must, and will do more.

“The scourge of human trafficking must be met with concerted action. This month and every month, our Department will strive to shine a light on these heinous acts, protect the dignity of survivors, and bring perpetrators of human trafficking to justice.”

To report suspected human trafficking to DHS law enforcement, contact 1-866-347-2423.

To seek help or learn more from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, contact 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).

Learn more about DHS’s efforts to combat human trafficking here: https://www.dhs.gov/topics/human-trafficking and in a new Department-wide fact sheet.

Published January 25, 2022 by

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[pdf] Public Benefits Flow Charts: VAWA Self‐Petition and Cancellation, U-Visas, T-Visas, and SIJS (December 29, 2021) (+)

The public benefits flow charts pertain to VAWA self-petition and cancellation, U-Visas, T-Visas, and Special Juvenile Immigrant Status (SIJS). Specifically, the charts explain access to federal and state public benefits for battered immigrant spouses and children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, victims of human trafficking, U-Visa victims, and SIJS victims.

Published December 29,. 2021 by

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[pdf] Bench Card on Immigration Relief for Battered Spouses, Children, and Immigrant Crime Victims (December 31, 2021) (+)

This bench card provides an overview of immigraiton options for immigrant victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking and other crimes. It covers VAWA, battered spouse waiver, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U and T visas, continued presence and work authorization for abused spouses of visa holders. For each it provides an overview or eligibility and how each form of immigration relief helps victims.

Published December 31, 2021 by

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[pdf] Bench Card: U-Visa Victim Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (December 31, 2021) (+)

This benchcard discusses the eligibility requirements to qualify for a U-Visa, the application procedure for U-Visas, and possible benefits for which approved U-Visa applicants may be eligible.

Published December 31, 2021 by ,

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[pdf] U Visa Certifications, T visa Declarations, and Continued Presence: Range of Potential Certifiers at the Local, State, and Federal Government Levels (December 30, 2021) (+)

This publication explores the range of potential certifiers whom judges should be aware of who can sign U visa and T visa certification in the court’s jurisdiction with whom the court can play a leadership role in encouraging certification by all authorized agencies. This helps attorneys and advocates working with immigrant victims identify the full range of authorized certifiers in any particular case to whom they can turn for certification. This document connects readers to training manuals for judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and Adult Protective Services agency staff that provide an overview of the U and T visa programs and detailed questions and answers for certifying agencies, and for judges who want to learn more about U and T visa certification. Additionally, this publication describes the availability of continued presence as an important option for immigrant victims of human trafficking offering protection soon after a trafficking victim has been identified that is available to human trafficking victims who could be potential witnesses in trafficking investigations or prosecutions. This document provides links to DHS publications on these subjects.

Published December 30, 2021 by

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[pdf] Tip Sheet for Courts Developing U Visa Certification Protocols (December 30, 2021) (+)

This tool provides legally correct information on the U and T visa programs and on Continued Presence. It helps courts developing U visa certification and T visa declarations protocols, policies and practices base the policies being developed on up to date legally accurate information on the U and T visa programs and certification. The document also provides links to model and sample U and T visa certification polices and protocols that courts can rely upon adapt when developing court policies.

Published December 31, 2021 by

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[pdf] Appendix VIII – States with Peonage Mentioned in Other Statutes (December 29, 2021) (+)

Peonage laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs state statutes that mention peonage and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the elements of the state’s statute mentioning peonage. This chart will also assist DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities or similar activities present in cases involving state criminal statutes mentioning peonage. This chart will also assist attorneys and advocates working with peonage victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that peonage victims may also have suffered.

Published December 29, 2021 by

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[pdf] Appendix VII – States with Peonage Statutes (December 29, 2021) (+)

Peonage laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs state statutes on peonage and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the elements of the state’s peonage statute. This chart will also assist DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities or similar activities present in cases involving state criminal statutes on peonage. This chart will also assist attorneys and advocates working with peonage victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that peonage victims may also have suffered.

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[pdf] Appendix VI – States with Involuntary Servitude and Slavery (Slave Trade) in the State Constitution and in Statute (December 29, 2021) (+)

Involuntary servitude and slave trade laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs states that have involuntary servitude and slave trade in the state constitution and in state statute and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the relevant elements of the state’s constitution and statutes. This chart will also assist DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities or similar activities present in cases involving state constitutions and criminal statutes on involuntary servitude and slave trade. This chart will also assist attorneys and advocates working with involuntary servitude and slave trade victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that involuntary servitude and slave trade victims may also have suffered.

Published December 29, 2021 by

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[pdf] Appendix V – States with Involuntary Servitude Mentioned in Other Statutes (December 29, 2021) (+)

Involuntary servitude laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs state statutes that mention involuntary servitude and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the elements of the state’s statute mentioning involuntary servitude. This chart will also assist DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities or similar activities present in cases involving state criminal statutes mentioning involuntary servitude, and assist attorneys and advocates working with involuntary servitude victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that involuntary servitude victims may also have suffered.

Published December 29, 2021 by

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[pdf] Appendix IV – States with Involuntary Servitude Statutes (December 29, 2021) (+)

Involuntary servitude laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs state statutes on involuntary servitude and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the elements of the state’s involuntary servitude statute. This chart will also assist DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities, and assist attorneys and advocates working with involuntary servitude victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that involuntary servitude victims may also have suffered.

Published December 29, 2021 by

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[pdf] Appendix III- States With Slave Trade Statutes (Updated December 29, 2021) (+)

Slave trade laws vary from state to state. This chart catalogs state statutes on slave trade and identifies potential U visa qualifying criminal activity that can fall within the elements of the state’s slave trade statute. This chart also assists DHS adjudicators by providing a state-by-state tool that will facilitate understanding of the types of qualified criminal activities or similar activities present in cases involving state criminal statutes on slave trade, and assists attorneys and advocates working with slave trade victims in identifying a more complete list of U visa qualifying criminal activities that slave trade victims may also have suffered. Part of the labor trafficking materials.

Published December 29, 2021

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[pdf] 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) (December 30, 2021) (+)

A chart comparing the eligibility, process, and benefits of U Visas, T Visas, VAWA Self-Petition, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SJIS), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Written by Krisztina Szabo, Spencer Cantrell, and Leslye Orloff.

Published December 30, 2021 by

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[pdf] Bench Card: Impact of Divorce on Immigration Status (December 28, 2021) (+)

This bench card provides information for state court judges on whether and how divorce
may alter the ability of immigrant spouses, children and stepchildren to gain or maintain a legal
immigration status in the United States, including an immigration visa, lawful permanent
residency or naturalization. An immigration visa2 is specifically one that allows the immigrant
to live and work in the United States.

Published December 28, 2021 by

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[pdf] DHS Enforcement Priorities, Courthouse Enforcement and Sensitive Location Policies and Memoranda Information for State Court Judges (December 27, 2021) (+)

The purpose of this bench card is to inform courts about DHS protections available to all immigrants who are litigants, crime victims, children or witness in court proceedings from immigration enforcement at courthouses. The bench card provides an overview of the forms of immigration relief created for immigrant survivors of crime and/or abuse, outlines DHS enforcement priorities, discusses how prosecutorial discretion will be exercised, describes which parents, children, family members, guardians, and other litigants will and will not likely be subject to immigration enforcement, discusses policies governing enforcement of civil immigration laws at courthouses, and presents information locations protected from immigration enforcement that will be useful to state court judges drafting visitation exchange, protection orders, criminal case bond orders and range other court orders.

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*U Visa Certification and T Visa Declaration Toolkits (Last Updated December 29, 2021)

On this page you will find the complete list of NIWAP’s U and T Visa Certification toolkits to assist agencies authorized to sign U Visa certifications and T Visa Declarations. For more information on U and T Visa Certification including access to webinars, newsletters, DHS policies, and publications click here. Toolkit for Federal, State, and […]

Published December 29, 2021

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[pdf] Three Prongs of VAWA Confidentiality (December 15, 2021) (+)

A brochure summarizing the three prongs of VAWA confidentiality (Disclosure Limitations, Source Limitations, & Enforcement Limitations) for advocates and attorneys, including information on best practices and complaint instructions.

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[pdf] Birru v. Wilkinson 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (January 22, 2021) (+)

Aylaliya Assefa Birru v. Barr (January 11 2021) 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. NIWAP, represented by
Baker McKenzie, is lead amicus in a brief on behalf of an immigrant domestic
violence victim who is seeking relief under the Violence Against Women Act’s domestic violence victim
waiver in her VAWA cancellation of removal case. The Board of Immigration Appeals and the
immigration judge denied her the ability to present evidence of waiver eligibility.

Published January 22, 2021 by

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