From: "Texoma Coalition" <htexastom@...>
Subject: More domestic violence victims seeking immigration relief on own

More domestic violence victims seeking immigration relief on own










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Posted on Fri, Feb. 24, 2006



More domestic violence victims seeking immigration relief on own

ANABELLE GARAY
Associated Press

DALLAS - The number of immigrant women who disclosed they were
domestic violence victims doubled in four years under a federal law letting them
report the abuse without losing their chance to gain legal status.

Women whose immigration status hinged on their marriage to a U.S.
citizen or legal resident can apply for immigrant visas on their own through
provisions in the Violence Against Women Act. The law also applies to children
who were abused by a parent.

Figures from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services show in
fiscal year 1995, the first in which spouses and children could file under the
law's provisions, there were no successful cases. By fiscal year 2000,
immigration authorities received 3,393 petitions under the domestic violence law
and approved 2,968 of them. The latest figures available show 6,877 people filed
petitions in 2004, with 5,076 of them receiving approval.

"Sadly, they've been growing each year," said Vanna Slaughter,
director of Immigration and Legal Services at Catholic Charities of Dallas, of
the petitions. "The more outreach we do, the more cases we get."

Better understanding of abuse by the victims and awareness of the
available help has led to more cases, say representatives of Catholic Charities
and Mosaic Family Services Inc., two agencies that work with immigrants in North
Texas.

Often, those seeking help to end the abuse initially aren't aware
about the law that will help them remain in the country legally without having
to stay with the abuser, caseworkers say. Some of the women don't speak English,
don't drive and have been kept isolated.

"I didn't know about the law ... I would tell myself that I had to
put up with it," said 41-year-old Maria Garcia, speaking of violence and threats
she said she endured from her husband. "In that moment, I was shut off from the
world."

First approved by Congress in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act
takes aim at abusers who threaten reporting their victims to immigration
authorities or not filing paperwork to obtain legal status for them. A parent or
child of a petitioning victim also can derive legal status through them.

The law underwent changes in December 2005 that will allow more
immigrants to benefit. The changes extend the self-petition ability to parents
of a U.S. citizen who were abused by that son or daughter. They let some people
who are now over 21, but were victimized while under that age, to petition for
legalization. Modifications also clarify that motions to reopen a case can be
filed for victims who were ordered deported, whether the person attended the
immigration hearing or not.

Mosaic tries to inform people of the protections and services
available to domestic violence victims by sending brochures in various languages
to coin-operated laundries, grocery stores and other places frequented by
immigrants. The also provide domestic violence information to agencies that
resettle immigrants and refugees. Some shelters also refer their clients to
anonymous meetings Catholic Charities holds each week to describe how the law
works and what is needed to qualify. Word of mouth from women who've already
benefited from the domestic violence law also has helped reach out within the
immigrant community, caseworkers say.

"They very fast learn to know who to call," said Mirjana Omeragic,
program director at Mosaic in Dallas. "They know we speak their language."

Still, making the cases requires proof that can be hard to obtain.
Abusers may have kept their spouse and children's legal documents, such as their
Social Security card and immigration documents. Other times, friends or family
who witnessed the abuse are reluctant to give their testimony for cases,
caseworkers say.

"A lot of them might not have a lot of the proof required. It's a
situation where its sometimes difficult to prove," said UCIS spokeswoman Maria
Elena Garcia-Upson.

Once a case is approved, the petitioner obtains the ability to
legally live and work in the country and is on the way to receiving permanent
legal status. Once they begin the process, many beco
meveryself-sufficientbyfindingjobs,learningtodriveorbecominginvolvedintheircommu\
nity,caseworkerssay.

"It was something that I thought I would never get out of .... Now
I'm showing him, I'm showing him I can make it on my own," Garcia said.

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On the Net:

Mosaic Family Services, Inc. http://mosaicservices.org

Catholic Charities Immigration and Legal Services
http://www.catholiccharitiesdallas.org






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