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JUSTICE AND SAFETY FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS

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Join our network of advocates defending the rights of all survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and gender-based abuses for access to life-saving protections.

ALERT: VAWA, U and T visa programs have NOT been cancelled or terminated! These bipartisan protections were created by Congress and the Administration cannot unilaterally take them away. While there is news that ICE has changed its guidance on enforcement actions related to potential or actual beneficiaries of victim-based benefits, we want to be VERY clear that the VAWA, U and T visa programs have NOT been cancelled or terminated. Please consult with a trusted immigration attorney in your area with any questions. You can find a qualified immigration attorney at the National Immigration Legal Services Directory. AIS will put out more information on this guidance soon.

ALERTA: ¡Los programas de visa VAWA, U y T NO han sido cancelados ni eliminados! Estas protecciones bipartidistas fueron creadas por el Congreso y la Administración no puede eliminarlas unilateralmente. Aunque hay noticias de que ICE ha cambiado su orientación sobre las acciones de cumplimiento relacionadas con posibles o actuales beneficiarios de programas de ayuda a víctimas, queremos dejar MUY claro que los programas de visa VAWA, U y T NO han sido cancelados ni eliminados. Consulte con un abogado de inmigración de confianza en su área si tiene preguntas. Puede encontrar un abogado calificado en el National Immigration Legal Services Directory. AIS publicará más información sobre esta nueva orientación pronto.

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AIS EXPLAINER: Immigration Policy Updates and their Impact on Survivors of Gender-based Violence

AIS has created a detailed explainer for service providers and advocates including our initial analysis of select January 20, 2025 Executive Orders (EOs) and subsequently released administrative actions, specifically discussing the impact on immigrant survivors and access to protections for which they may be eligible.

Though the barrage of EOs was part of a deliberate strategy to overwhelm, to sow fear, and to dehumanize immigrant communities, AIS is committed to standing alongside immigrant survivors and those who serve them, and we are ready to provide resources, support, and advocacy for paths to safety and protection. 



AIS Statement: AIS Denounces Executive Orders

The incoming President issued numerous Executive Orders (EOs) and other administrative actions advancing an inhumane and xenophobic immigration agenda that is a broadside attack on those protections. AIS strongly opposes these measures that will shut down pathways to safety for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution, undermine public safety, and interfere with immigrant survivors’ ability to seek safety and provide for themselves and their families.

The EOs,combined with the shutdown of the CBP One app, will make it practically impossible to seek asylum in the United States. Restricting asylum seekers and refugees puts them at further risk, endangering their lives.  

AIS in the media: Senate advances bill without added protections for victims of domestic violence

From January 17 article in The 19th:

“We are trying to really educate folks on this tool of power and control that is very unique to immigrant survivors, which is abusers who threaten to have them deported, separated from their children, leaving their children in the hands of a single parent who does use violence — this has an incredible chilling effect” on victims separating from abusers or reporting them to law enforcement, said Carter Swegman, Policy Director at the Tahirih Center for Justice, a Co-Chair organization of the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors.

AIS Statement: aca eligibility expansion excludes some immigrant survivors

The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors appreciates the issuance of guidance for newly eligible categories of immigrants who are lawfully present, including 600,000 DACA recipients, asylum applicants, young people applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and T-visas for human trafficking victims.

Unfortunately, under the rule, immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence seeking U visas awaiting deferred action will continue to be excluded from access to healthcare exchanges.

Take Action in Support of the WISE Act!

Your advocacy is key to creating critical advances for immigrant survivors of violence. See our WISE one-pager and use our WISE Act Toolkit -- including messaging, social media posts and graphics (see below), and a short video -- to educate your communities and ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor this vital bill.