Evidence indicates that there are large numbers of immigrant women trapped and isolated in violent relationships, afraid to turn to anyone for help. According to a survey conducted by the Immigrant Women's Task Force of the Northern California Coalition for Immigrant Rights (formerly the Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Services), a startling 34% of Latinas and 25% of Filipinas surveyed had experienced Domestic Violence either in their country of origin, in the United States, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence

I am not a Citizen. I am trying to get out of a violent Domestic situation. Can I receive Public Assistance?

Self-Petitioning for Lawful Permanent Residence and Cancellation of Removal

Help is Available for the Battered Immigrant Woman, for Friends and Family, and for Service Providers

Legislative News

Illinois Resources for the Battered Immigrant Woman

National Resources for the Battered Immigrant Woman

International Domestic Violence Sites

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"You have a right to be free from violence in your own home." Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence regarding those rights and ways to seek assistance.

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If you are a legal permanent resident of the State of Illinois, you may be able to apply for public assistance. All of the application forms for the three Immigrant service programs described here can be filed at a local Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) office. Call directory assistance for the location nearest you.

Public Assistance for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence in Illinois is available!!

New Assistance Programs in Illinois: Food Benefits, Domestic Violence, and AABD summarizes the three Immigrant service programs in Illinois that are available:

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Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Public Assistance for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence in Illinois

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Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: FAXBrief - NEW ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS: FOOD BENEFITS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND AABD

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The Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA") provides 2 different methods for abuse survivors to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). The first method is "self-petitioning," and the second method is a defense to deportation or "cancellation of removal."

If you are battered or subject to extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident during marriage, "it is important to know that Self-Petitioning can only be done while a couple is still married. If a divorce takes place, this form of immigration relief is no longer available to the victim. The victim will then only have cancellation of removal as a means of relief." (Reva Gupta, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights)

(Note: To view the following FAXBriefs and Requirements, you need to have Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. If you already have Adobe Acrobat® Reader, simply click on the link you wish to view and it will open automatically. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed, click on the Get Acrobat® Reader button for instructions on how to download a free copy.)

The following FAXBrief, The Violence Against Women Act, Part 1: Self-Petitioning, a publication of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, contains valuable information on the topic of "Self-Petitioning."

If you do not qualify for self-petitioning, the following FAXBrief, The Violence Against Women Act, Part 2: Cancellation of Removal, a publication of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, can provide you with valuable information on the relief under VAWA by applying for "Cancellation of Removal."

The Requirements Under the Immigrant Provisions of The Violence Against Women Act summarizes the two means of relief provided in the Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA") that are available to a battered woman and her children.

If you have questions or want more information, please call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) at
(312) 332-7360.

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Assistance is available for the Battered Immigrant Woman, for Friends and Family, and for Service Providers by clicking here.

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Under current law, if a battered immigrant woman called the police and pressed charges against her husband, who is a legal permanent resident, and her husband gets a criminal conviction, he is deportable without any judicial review. Since Immigration is based on sponsors who have to be either legal permanent residents or U.S. citizens, once the husband is deported, the battered woman looses all rights to her basis to immigrate because she is no longer related to someone who is a legal permanent resident or a U.S. citizen. (Reva Gupta, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights)

To combat this situation, the Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act of 1999 was introduced into Congress. Legal Protections for Battered Immigrants summarizes this bill and its provisions.

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Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Legal Protections for Battered Immigrants

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Following are some Illinois resources regarding immigration issues:

Travelers & Immigrants Aid (now known as Heartland Alliance)
Phone: 312-660-1300

Catholic Charities
Phone: 312-427-7078

Midwest Immigration Rights Center
Phone: 312-660-1351

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Phone: 312-332-7360

INS - Immigration & Naturalization
Phone: 1-800-870-3676.
"Satellite" offices:

Granite City
Immigration Project
Phone: 618-452-7018

Joliet
Spanish Center
Phone: 815-727-3683

Wheaton
World Relief
Phone: 630-462-7566

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Following are some National Resources to assist with Battered Immigrant Women issues:

Family Violence Prevention Fund
Phone: 415-252-8900
Website: http://www.fvpf.org

National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild
Phone: 617-227-9727
FAX: 617-227-5495
Website: http://www.nlg.org/nip/homepage.html

National Network for Immigrant And Refugee Rights
Phone: 510-465-1984
FAX: 510-465-1885
E-mail: nnirr@igc.org
Website: http://www.nnirr.org/

National Immigration Law Center
Phone: 213-938-6452
Fax: 213-964-7940
Email: neville@nilc.org
Website: http://www.nilc.org

National Immigration Forum
Phone: 202-544-0004
Fax: 202-544-1905
Website: http://www.immigrationforum.org/

Center For Human Rights And Constitutional Law
Phone: 213-388-8693
Fax: 213-386-9484
E-mail: pscyey@earthlink.net

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Fondo para la Prevención de la Violencia de Género
http://www.fundacionmujeres.es/fondo/

Instituto Social y político de la Mujer
http://www.ispm.org.ar/
(SPANISH)

Para transformar la vida cotidiana
http://www.puntos.org.ni/

Violence Against Women... what works?
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
violenceagainstwomen/brief.htm
U.K. Home Office

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