VAWA Confidentiality Protections: Myths and Facts About Courthouse Protections (PowerPoint)
Description
This NJN peer-to-peer session provides judges with up-to-date information about VAWA confidentiality’s protections for immigrant survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault appearing at court. Judges learn to identify which victims qualify for VAWA confidentiality protections, as well as myths and facts about when federal VAWA confidentiality laws protect victims from removal and at protected locations including courthouses. The session provides a short overview of how VAWA confidentiality impacts state court discovery. Links to statutes, the latest government policies and regulations, legislative history, and case law on VAWA confidentiality are all made available to participants.
Faculty Presenters
- Leslye E. Orloff, Adjunct Professor and Director, NIWAP, American University Washington College of Law
- Judge Rosemary Collins (Ret), 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Winnebago County, Rockford
Referenced Materials
- VAWA Confidentiality: Criminal and Family Case Discovery (October 1 & Nov. 12, 2024)
- VAWA Confidentiality and Discovery Materials
- Family Court Bench Card on VAWA Confidentiality
Useful Resources
State Justice Institute (SJI) and National Judicial Network Training Materials
2025 Policies
- ICE Interim Guidance: Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions In or Near Courthouses
- Memo Enforcement Actions In or Near Protected Areas
- 11005.4 2025 Victim Policy: Interim Guidance on Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Involving Current or Potential Beneficiaries of Victim-Based Immigration Benefits
- Issuance of Interim Policy Guidance Regarding Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Involving Current or Potential Beneficiaries of Victim-Based Immigration Benefits
- Executive Order: Protecting the American People Against Invasion (January 20, 2025)
VAWA Confidentiality Materials