Preventing Violence Against Women By Illegal Aliens Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this dangerous legislation. It has been pointed out in this debate that H.R. 30 fails to protect domestic abuse survivors as it undermines the Violence Against Women Act, historic legislation that was carefully drafted in a bipartisan manner, which included critical protections like U visas and T visas, the battered spouse waiver, and the option to self-petition for permanent residence.

This legislation, whether it means it or not or intends it or not, really cancels out these important protections.

Immigrant survivors are already afraid. We don't need to fearmonger them anymore. They are already scared of contacting the police due to the deportation risk, and H.R. 30 exacerbates the real concerns that these victims will be swept up by this bill.

As noted by a wide range of stakeholders, immigrant victims are particularly vulnerable to being arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence or acting in self-defense, even if they are falsely accused by an abuser of being a primary aggressor.

We know that this comes straight out of a playbook by some of our historic traffickers and pimps. This bill would empower pimps and traffickers as it is written, and it will sweep more survivors into being inadmissible or deportable.

Mr. Speaker, how does that protect them?

In the name of protecting domestic violence victims, we cannot debate and pass a bill that makes it worse for them. If the majority is serious about addressing the epidemic of domestic and sexual violence in our country, then we can start by addressing the funding challenges facing the Victims of Crime Act, which supports services for victims, or by expanding access to U visas and T visas, which help law enforcement protect victims.

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, we want to protect moms from domestic violence acts, as homicide is the leading cause of death of pregnant women.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit so we can fix this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his indulgence.

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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