Issue Position: Violence Against Immigrant Women

Issue Position

Battered immigrant women make up one of the most vulnerable populations in this country. These women should not feel forced to stay in violent, life-threatening intimate partner relationships because of their tenuous immigration status. Ensuring that immigrant women are able to leave their abusers and aren't forced to stay because of threats of deportation, or because they are afraid to come out of the shadows has been a long-time focus of mine.

In previous reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act, I was able to successfully include important provisions that provide protection for battered immigrants. VAWA now protects battered immigrants from some immigration provisions by allowing them to self-petition, to obtain permanent immigration status without having to leave the United States, and to seek relief from being deported. The law also allows victims of rape, torture, or other abuse or assault to obtain a non-immigrant visa, which would provide temporary legal status and protection to victims while law enforcement investigates their case. I will continue to fight against any efforts to roll back those protections.

Legislation I've Introduced

Violence Against Immigrant Women Act -- This bill would expand protections for immigrant victims. It would assist immigrant victims with legal resources necessary to escape abuse such as U visa protection and timely employment authorization.

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