Refugee Voices

ACTION ALERT

Act Now! Protect Immigrant Women and Children from Domestic Violence

Immigrant women and children who are victims of domestic violence and crime are put at high risk when their immigration status becomes a weapon in the hands of their abusers. The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing now to allow that to occur.

USCRI strongly opposes HR 4970, the House reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), for the following important reasons:

First, it would strip immigrant victims of their existing confidentiality protections when they report domestic violence.  When abusers learn that victims have contacted law enforcement in these situations, they commonly resort to retaliation and even greater violence.

Second, it would deny immigrant women and children who report violence and crime to law enforcement the ability to ever get a future green card and permanent legal residence in the U.S.  This will keep victims from coming forward to report violent abuse and crimes perpetrated against them.

H.R. 4970 puts thousands of immigrant women and children at risk.  It is a giant step backwards.

Call/Write/Tweet your Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and complete the form below with your information, and tell them to say No to H.R. 4970.

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