Help is Available for Foreign National Victims of Domestic Abuse

Deportation, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that although law enforcement agencies and community based organizations have made significant progress in assisting victims of domestic abuse in various immigrant communities, there are still too many victims that face obstacles such as language barriers, dependence on their abusers, and most importantly, undocumented foreign national victims of abuse refrain from reporting the abuse and seeking the help [...]

Immigration Service Approves Thousands of Visas for Domestic Violence Victims

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Orlando Sentinel reported today that the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently approved thousands of visas for victims of Domestic Violence.  This visa classification is known as the “U” visa. Created in 2000 when the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was reauthorized, the “U” visa program was held in abeyance until 2007 when rules for its implementation [...]

15 Year Anniversary of VAWA

Announcements, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was signed into law on September 13, 1994. VAWA was created to officially recognize the severity of the crimes associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAWA was also created to raise public awareness on matters concerning violence against women, to reinforce [...]