AILA Resources on the Violence Against Women Act
“AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 12050742 (posted May. 7, 2012)”
Enacted in 1994 and reauthorized twice in 2000 and 2005, VAWA has a long history of uniting lawmakers with the common purpose of protecting survivors of domestic violence. When VAWA was first conceived, Congress recognized that the noncitizen status of battered immigrants can make them particularly vulnerable to crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The abusers of undocumented immigrants often exploit the victims’ immigration status, leaving the victim afraid to seek services or report the abuse to law enforcement and making them fearful of assisting with the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. Congress sought to address this through the enactment of provisions in VAWA that enhance safety for victims and their children and provide an important tool for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes.
AILA Press Statements & Correspondence
- Sign on Letter Opposing H.R. 4970: A sign-on letter in opposition to The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 4970, Adams, R-FL), which includes over 100 immigration, faith, labor, human rights and community organizations.
Issue Papers and Talking Points
- AILA Talking Points on H.R. 4970, VAWA Reauthorization sponsored by Rep. Adams (R-FL). H.R. 4970 would roll back years of progress and place victims of domestic violence in greater danger.
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