*Pro Bono Institute “Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition” Training Module

Pro Bono Institute “Violence Against Women Act” Training Module In collaboration with the Pro Bono Training Institute, NIWAP has created online training modules to assist individuals and attorneys with applying for VAWA Self-Petitions. You will need to register for a free PBTI account to complete the module. Curriculum Basics of VAWA Relief & Working with […]

[pdf] Fact Sheet: ICE Policies and Procedures Involving Detained Parents and Legal Guardians (March 2018) (+)

Fact sheet by ICE describing how detained parents can participate in court cases involving their children, can have visitation with their children, can request transfers to detention centers that would allow for visitation with their children and/or participation in court cases involving their children, parent involvement in placement or care of their children and facilitating travel of children with parents who are being removed.

[pdf] ICE Detained Parents Directive: Detention and Removal of Alien Parents or Legal Guardians (August 29, 2017) (+)

ICE Detained Parents Directive: Detention and Removal of Alien Parents or Legal Guardians (August 29, 2017) This directive provides directions governing ICE responsibilities and ICE policies governing steps ICE can be asked to take regarding the following:
— Having ICE transfer detained parents to court to participate in state court proceedings in family or child welfare courts regarding the custody, care, placement or guardianship of the detained parents’ child(ren) primarily for in-person participation of the parent in state court proceedings and in the alternative secondarily for facilitating participation by video conference
— Facilitating visitation between detained parents and their children
— Preventing the transfer or placement of a detained parent in detention facilities outside of the jurisdiction of the courts having jurisdiction over their children
–Assisting detained parents in making plans for care, custody, placement or guardianship of their children
— Facilitating the ability of detained parents to obtain passports, travel documents and other documentation that would be needed and to arrange for travel for their children to join them should the parent be deported.

NOTE this document is the ICE directive that went into effect in August 2017, in March of 2018 ICE issued a fact sheet on this policy and in May 2018 ICE updated its website with instructions related to using this policy.

[pdf] Overcoming Fear and Building Trust With Immigrant Communities and Crime Victims (Police Chief Magazine April 2018) (+)

This article in Police Chief Magazine discusses the benefits of U and T visa certification programs for law enforcement, reports results from a 2017 survey of law enforcement officers regarding their experiences of working with immigrant crime victims in 2016 and 2017 and based on the findings makes recommendations regarding adopting U visa and T visa certification practices and policies, language access plans, training law enforcement officers on U and T visa certification and receiving technical assistance from law enforcement officials who are national experts.

[pdf] Immigration and Customs Enforcement: FAQ on Sensitive Locations and Courthouse Arrests (January 31, 2018) (+)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on 2018 policies regarding immigration enforcement actions taken at sensitive locations and at courthouses. This document should be read together with Thomas D. Homan, Directive Number 11072.1: Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Inside Courthouses, 1 (January 10, 2018) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ice-courthouse-directive-2018/ and John Morton, Policy Number 10029.2: Enforcement Actions At or Focused on Sensitive Locations, 1 (October 24, 2011) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ice-2011-sensitive-locations-policy

*Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)Bench Book (March 31, 2018) Table of Contents

NOTE: This United States Citizenship and Immigration Services issued final SIJS regulations in March of 2022 and updated its SIJS policy manual consistent with the final regulations.  NIWAP is in the process of updating the chapters in this bench book.  A Question and Answer Guide that highlights the updates and a copy of the new […]

*Training Materials: U and T Visa Certification (Last Updated – July 12, 2024)

See a full list of U visa training materials including all of the policies and publications issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services  Know Your Rights Information DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims Immigration Options for Victims of Crime -DHS Brochure Multilingual Materials for […]

*Labor Charts: Employment Based U Visa Criminal Activity State Charts (December 31, 2021)

NIWAP has developed comprehensive charts tracking state laws on forced labor, involuntary servitude, slavery, slave trade, and peonage, which are not expressly included on the U visa criminal activity list, and identified the qualifying criminal activities on the U visa list that are contained within these state statutes. The goal of these charts is to […]

BUILDING LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO SERVE IMMIGRANT VICTIMS

Table of Contents U-Visa “Helpfulness” Checklist CATEGORY: MANUAL DHS U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide Updated 11.30.15 Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors (November 15, 2017) U Visa Helpfulness Case Scenarios Collection of U-Visa News Articles Immigrant Crime Victims and U Visa Certification – What is it and Why Should Judges […]

*Training Materials: Immigration Relief for Immigrant Crime Victims and Immigrant Children

For more information on any of the following immigration protections for immigrant crime victims including statues, regulations, policies and government publications see generally: https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/topic/immigration/ Legal Rights Overviews, Screening Tools, and Brochures Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates DHS Infographic: Protection for Immigrant Victims DHS Proteccions Para Las Víctimas Inmigrantes (Protections for Immigrant Victims) The Department […]

[pdf] Appendix T – Declaratory Judgments – Cases By Topic & State (+)

This Appendix is document that collects case law from states across the country illustrating the wide range of circumstances in which state courts apply state declaratory judgment statutes to issue declaratory judgments on family law matters. It explains a chart that provides helpful illustrative information for courts and attorneys in cases of immigrant children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) findings.

[pdf] Appendix Z- Glossary of Terms (November 15, 2017) (+)

This appendix is a glossary of terms that give brief descriptions of terms are relevant to assisting adult and child immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, and immigrant children who have suffered child abuse, abandonment or neglect. The terms are organized alphabetically.

[pdf] Appendix G – DHS Immigrants Options for Victims of Crime (English) (+)

This Appendix provides a snapshot of immigrant’s options for victims of crime.

[pdf] 5.8 Chapter V-8 – Paternity Quick Reference Guide (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in paternity and parentage proceedings. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in paternity and parentage proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration and best practices for SIJS findings in paternity cases.

[pdf] 5.7 Chapter V-7 – Guardianship Quick Reference (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in guardianship proceedings. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in guardianship proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration and best practices for SIJS findings in guardianship cases.

[pdf] 5.6 Chapter V-6 – Dependency Quick Reference (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in dependency proceedings. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in dependency proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration and best practices for SIJS findings in dependency cases.

[pdf] 5.5 Chapter V-5 – Delinquency Quick Reference (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in delinquency proceedings. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in delinquency proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration like service of process and best practices for SIJS findings in delinquency cases.

[pdf] 5.4 Chapter V-4 – SIJS in Declaratory Judgment Cases Quick Reference (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in declaratory judgment cases. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in declaratory cases and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration like service of process and best practices for SIJS findings in declaratory cases.

[pdf] 5.3 Chapter V-3 – Custody Quick Reference Guide (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in proceedings involving custody and child support. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in custody and child support proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration like service of process and best practices for SIJS findings in custody case.

[pdf] 5.2 Chapter V-2 – Civil Protection Orders Quick Reference Guide (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings in civil and criminal protection orders proceedings. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It discusses SIJS in civil and criminal protection order proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration like service of process and best practices for SIJS findings in protection orders.

[pdf] 5.1 Chapter V-1 -Adoption Quick Reference (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status findings involving termination of parental rights and adoption. It explains the meaning of SIJS, the requirements, and the eligibility status for SIJS. It further discusses the termination of parental rights in adoption proceedings and common case scenarios. It also briefly discusses the procedural consideration like service of process and best practices for SIJS findings in adoption cases.

[pdf] 4. Chapter IV – Application of the Best Interest of the Child Standard in SIJS (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of congressional and immigration policy framework for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. It discusses the practical guide in determining the best interest standard in SIJS. It further explains the best interest standard in light of custody, and placement. Lastly, the chapter discusses reunification as a factor used by state courts in determining SIJS application of the best interest standard in SIJS.

[pdf] 3. Chapter III – Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect – The Role of State Law Definitions in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Findings (+)

This Chapter of the manual provides an overview of how state courts apply the state law definitions of “abuse,” “abandonment,” and “neglect” in issuing SIJS findings as part of state court orders. It discusses how courts should apply the state law definitions of abuse, abandonment, and neglect to the facts that occurred outside and inside of the United States. It also explains the state law definition of the abuse, abandonment, and neglect ad highlight the common themes in the state law definition of these terms. The chapter provides an overview of the helpful charts included as appendices to this manual that provide the state-by-state details and a national multi-state overview of how each of the following terms are described in the law of each of the U.S. states and jurisdictions.

[pdf] 1. Chapter I – Introduction to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (+)

This Chapter provides an overview of the Special Immigrant Juvenile States as a form of immigration relief that helps immigrant children who have suffered abuse, abandonment or neglect perpetrated by a parent. It discusses this federal immigration program, its history, and the role of the state courts in SIJS cases. It also discusses the federal immigration adjudication process and how state courts will encounter SIJS eligible children in the wide range of cases that in which SIJS eligible children appear before state courts.

[pdf] Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Inside Courthouses (January 10, 2018) (+)

Superseded by: https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ice-and-cbp-courthouse-enforcement. This policy issued by U.S. immigration and Customs (ICE) enforcement sets out policies regarding civil immigration enforcement at federal, state and local courthouses. This policy requires that ICE immigration enforcement officers will only conduct civil immigration enforcement at court houses against immigrants who are targeted for immigration enforcement due to criminal convictions, gang membership, national security, public safety threats or when the immigrant has been ordered removed from the United States. Persons accompanying the targeted immigrant to court including family members and friends will generally not be subject to immigration enforcement. Civil enforcement is to be avoided in non-criminal court cases include family law cases and civil cases and require prior supervisory approval.

*Training Tools for Prosecutors on the U Visa, VAWA and Criminal Court Discovery (June 2023)

AEquitas, The Prosecutor’s Resource on Violence Against Women and the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Center, American University, Washington College of Law have created tools for prosecutors working on cases involving immigrant crime victims.  The development of these tools was funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. What’s Immigration Status Got […]

November 3, 2017: Rockford, IL “What do State Courts Need to Know about Immigration and Why: Human Trafficking and Family Violence”

Training Materials PowerPoint Presentations for Training Technical Assistance Flyer Immigration Relief for Crime Victims and Children Know Your Rights Information DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims Immigration Options for Victims of Crime -DHS Brochure Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates Pathways to Immigration Relief for Students Forms of Immigration Relief Bench Card: Overview […]

[pdf] DHS PROTEÇÕES PARA VÍTIMAS IMIGRANTES – (Protections for Immigrant Victims) [pdf] (+)

O Departamento de Segurança Interna produziu uma infográfico que fornece um resumo das proteções legais para vítimas de crimes que são adultos e crianças. Este infográfico fornece proteção de imigração para vítimas de abuso nos Estados Unidos e / ou no exterior. As formas de alívio são: VAWA, visto U, visto T, presença contínua, status […]

*Winning Custody Cases for Immigrant Survivors: the Clash of Laws, Cultures, Custody and Parental Rights (2017)

Veronica T. Thronson, Carole Angel, Soraya Fata, Rocio Molina, Benish Anver, Kalli Wells and Leslye E. Orloff, Winning Custody Cases for Immigrant Survivors: The Clash of Laws, Cultures, Custody and Parental Rights.  9 Fam. & Intimate Partner Violence Q. 2-3, 1-169 (2017) This article discusses a wide range of topics that arise in custody cases […]

[pdf] Connecticut U Visa Law Enforcement Protocol (June 22, 2010) (+)

The Connecticut Officer Standards and Training Council issued a detailed protocol setting out U and T visa certification policies and training requirements for law enforcement agencies in Connecticut. General Notice 10-01. “Adoption of a Uniform Connecticut Law Enforcement Protocol for Treating Victims of Family Violence Whose Immigration Status is Questionable.” This implements the provisions of Connecticut Code Section 46b-38b(e)(5) which requires that every police department in the state designate at least one official responsible for U visa certification who assist immigrant victims with U visa certification.

*California’s U Visa Certification Law (Penal Code Section 679.10)

California’s Immigrant Victims of Crime Equity Act (SB 674; California Penal Code Section 679.10) became law on January 1, 2017. Implementing policy for the California Attorney General: New and Existing State and Federal Laws Protecting Immigrant Victims of Crime October 28, 2015. Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) Publications on California’s U Visa Certification Law ILRC fact […]

*Trafficking FAQs

Identifying Trafficking I am not sure if my client is a trafficking victim. What should I be looking for? Identifying a trafficking victim is complicated, particularly because of the misconceptions about human trafficking. The following is the definition of a severe form of trafficking in persons under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Sex trafficking […]

[pdf] The Department of Homeland Security’s Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims (+)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an infographic detailing the protections afforded to immigrant victims. This interactive infographic describes qualifications and benefits for each form of immigration relief designed to help immigrant victims. When you click on each form of relief, a link takes you to a DHS webpage with further information, brochures and […]

*Police Executive Research Forum’s Summer 2017 Newsletter Article: “U Visas and the Role of Local Police in Preventing and Investigating Crimes Against Immigrants”

The Police Executive Research Forum’s summer 2017 newsletter,Subject to Debate, contains a wealth of information on immigration issues and is available here: https://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Subject_to_Debate/Debate2017/debate_2017_junaug.pdf.  With support from the Carnegie Corporation, this special issue pays particular attention to the police role in U Visas. Our article explores the potential for using the U Visa to build trust with […]

*Guide to Obtaining U Visa Certifications Practice Advisory (July 2017)

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has produced a great resource on U visa certification that includes an overview of state U visa laws and pending legislation.  “This practice advisory outlines some suggestions and resources for immigration advocates working with law enforcement agencies to obtain law enforcement certification for U Visa applicants.  It also includes a […]

[pdf] Re: PM-602-0110: VAWA Amendments to the Cuban Adjustment Act: Continued Eligibility for Abused Spouses and Children (+)

NIWAP’s response in support of the memo that included comments for further clarification and instructions regarding the adjudication of such applications. USCIS issued a policy memorandum implementing the provisions of VAWA 2005 and 2000 granting continuing eligibility to apply for lawful permanent residency without the help or knowledge of their abusive spouse to abused spouses […]

[pdf] U Visa Law Enforcement Certification Resource Guide for Federal, State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Law Enforcement (January 2012) (+)

This is the original version of the U visa resource guide published by DHS it is available on the DHS website at https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs_u_visa_certification_guide.pdf. It was updated in 2015 to include more information to address questions certifiers were commonly asking for clarification from DHS and to expand the guide to be more useful to judicial certifiers and certifiers from state and federal government agencies who were not police or prosecutors. The updated version of this guide is available at https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-updated-u-certification-resource-guide-2015/

*New U and T Visa Application and Certification Forms (December 6, 2021)

December 2021 The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services released updated U visa application and certification forms.  The new forms include the criminal activities added by the Violence Against Women Act 2013 – stalking and fraud in foreign labor contracting.  The certification form will also be more certifier friendly for a broader range of U […]

[pdf] Department of Homeland Security: U Visa Immigration Relief for Victims of Certain Crimes: An Overview for Law Enforcement (February 2017) (+)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a tool that provides an overview for law enforcement and other government agencies (including judges) authorized by the U Visa statutes, regulations and policies to sign U visa certifications. The overview describes the role of a certifier, what constitutes U Visa criminal activity, which government agencies are eligible to certify, who can sign a certification, when a certification may be signed, tips for completing the certification, and includes phone numbers, websites and resources available to assist certifiers from DHS and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

[pdf] Slides Webinar Immigrant Victim Access Federally Assisted Housing (February 22, 2017) (+)

PowerPoint presentation slides for the webinar on access to public and assisted housing, shelter and transitional housing for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, trafficking, abused and abandoned immigrant children and immigrant homeless. The document included the PowerPoint presentation and the cover list of documents distributed with the webinar.