NCJ Number
224380
Journal
Journal of Forensic Nursing Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: 2008 Pages: 123-129
Date Published
2008
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines the prevalence of undocumented women and children who are victims of abuse perpetrated by their spouse or parent who is a citizen of the United States.
Abstract
There is a growing body of research that demonstrates that immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Their reasons for coming to the United States vary from women married to American citizens to others coming to seek a better life for themselves and their children. The status of undocumented immigrants and current immigration legislative proposals are the subject of heated debate with both political and economic implications which often overshadows the plight of undocumented victims of abuse. These women are helpless victims due to cultural and language barriers and an inability to access resources. In addition, new immigration laws, affecting both legal and illegal immigrants, led to difficulties in implementing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. Further exacerbating the already difficult situations faced by immigrant women is the vast array of reasons their abuse goes unreported. Legal protections that are potentially available to noncitizen victims of crimes of abuse include the U-Visa and, when severe cases of trafficking are involved, the T-Visa. Both are designed to provide immigration status to noncitizens who are assisting or willing to assist authorities investigating related crimes. This article explores the availability of both the U-Visa as a resource for undocumented women and children and T-Visas for this endangered, underserved and often unrecognized population of victims. The article focuses on immigrant women and children who are in danger of being abused and have little or no protection from their abuser or no ability to seek help. References