Search results for: confidentiality
Evidentiary Protections and Confidentiality
Evidentiary Protections and Confidentality VAWA contains critical provisions that protect survivor’s information, and limits the ability of decision makers to make adverse decisions based solely on information provided by an abuser. Below please find resources on these essential protections, including how to address violations of these provisions in your case. Statutory and Agency Guidance Implementation…
Read More105 Organizations Call on Senate to Strengthen Protections for Immigrant Survivors in VAWA 2021
Last month, the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS) sent a letter signed by 105 organizations to Senate leadership to strengthen protections for immigrant survivors in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2021. For over 25 years, VAWA has served as a rare example of how a bipartisan Congress can protect survivors and strengthen their ability…
Read MoreASISTA Opposes Harmful Proposed Rule Expanding Biometric Collection & Surveillance
On October 13, 2020, ASISTA submitted a comment in response to USCIS harmful new proposed rule that would pose significant privacy, confidentiality and safety implications for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and other gender-based abuses. The proposed rule would change, among other things: Drastically increase the types of biometric information collected…
Read MoreComment Opportunity: Oppose USCIS Changes to Fee Waiver Forms and Policy
On June 5, 2019, USCIS published another notice and opportunity for comment on their proposed fee waiver changes. These changes were initially proposed in September 2018, and later addressed in a second opportunity for comment in April 2019. This third notice provides additional details regarding USCIS’ rationale for adjusting the fee waiver form and practices. …
Read MoreWorking with Survivors at Risk of Removal
Working with Survivors at Risk of Removal This section contains resources for immigration attorneys, practitioners, advocates, community organizers, and anyone working with immigrant survivors at risk of removal. You can find useful information translated in several languages to assist immigrant survivors with their rights in this country. Sample Documents – One Pagers For VAWA Samples…
Read MoreRemoval & Immigration Court
Removal & Immigration Court Resources for Cases in Removal Practice Alert: New ICE Guidance on Current or Potential Victim-Based Benefits (March 3, 2025)On January 31, 2025, it was reported on social media that the previous day, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued new policy guidance to its employees entitled Interim Guidance on Civil Immigration…
Read MoreVAWA Self-Petition
VAWA Self-Petition The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows battered immigrants to petition for legal status in the United States without relying on abusive U.S.citizen or legal permanent resident spouses, parents or children to sponsor their Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) applications. This section contains information on VAWA history, regulation, legislation, reauthorization acts, confidentiality provisions, sample materials,…
Read MoreU visas
U Visas Overview U visas are a form of immigration benefits for survivors of certain crimes who have been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of that crime. This library contains information about U visa requirements, the law, policy, advocacy, practice pointers and more. Overview USCIS: U Visa OverviewLink to the US Citizenship and Immigration…
Read MorePolicy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy ASISTA is able to connect individual case problems and identify systemic trends and issues that require policy change. We work at the intersection of the immigration advocacy and domestic violence/sexual assault survivor advocacy communities in order to ensure that immigrant survivors have access to their rights and protections afforded to them under the…
Read More