JUSTICE AND SAFETY FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS
AIS Statement: AIS Denounces Passage of Reconciliation Bill as Threat to Community and Survivor Safety
For the second year in a row, Congress has passed harmful reconciliation legislation which adds unprecedented funding levels for immigration enforcement with no meaningful reforms or accountability measures. This bill exacerbates the fear that prevents immigrant survivors from seeking help, reporting crimes, or accessing life-saving services.
“It is deeply concerning that Congress would hand ICE and CBP another blank check while at the same time holding up critical funding for programs that provide life saving services and support to survivors across the country,” said Cristina Velez, Legal and Policy Director at ASISTA, an AIS Co-Chair organization.
AIS statement: We celebrate and stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ leaders and survivors
The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors is proud to celebrate and stand in solidarity with the inspiring and tenacious LGBTQ+ leaders and survivors—and their advocates—who we have the privilege of working alongside in our collective movement for survivor and immigrant safety and justice. Despite navigating intersecting systems of violence, discrimination, and exclusion, LGBTQ+ immigrants continue to show up every day to claim their right to safety, dignity, and belonging.
This Pride Month we acknowledge all that the LGBTQ+ community is holding and all the ways in which LGBTQ+ advocates continue to lead movements to advance justice for survivors and immigrants, championing a vision that affirms the right of every person to live free from violence and to thrive on their own terms.
Un informe revela por qué les sobrevivientes inmigrantes de violencia doméstica y agresión sexual temen a la policía y los tribunales
La Alianza para Sobrevivientes Inmigrantes publicó los resultados de una encuesta nacional de defensores y abogades que evaluó cómo los cambios en las políticas federales de inmigración están afectando la disposición de les sobrevivientes inmigrantes a denunciar abusos e interactuar con las fuerzas del orden.
“Lo que escuchamos fue claro y alarmante: les sobrevivientes inmigrantes tienen un miedo profundo de buscar ayuda de la policía o los tribunales,” dijo Cecelia Friedman Levin, Coordinadora de Defensoría de AIS. El setenta y seis por ciento de les defensores reportaron que les sobrevivientes inmigrantes tienen preocupaciones sobre contactar a la policía para denunciar violencia doméstica y agresión sexual.
AIS Report Reveals Why Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are Fearful of Police and Courts
Our report, Fear and Silence: 2025 Insights from Advocates for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking, provides insights into what advocates are reporting and witnessing while working with immigrant survivors this year.
“What we heard was clear and alarming: immigrant survivors are deeply afraid to seek help from the police or the courts,” said AIS Advocacy Coordinator Cecelia Friedman Levin. Seventy-six percent of advocates reported that immigrant survivors have concerns about contacting the police to report domestic violence and sexual assault.
The report includes targeted recommendations for Congress, the administration, state and local government, and advocates.
Fear and Silence: Insights from Advocates for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking
Graphic of report cover featuring an old-fashioned black public telephone headset dangling in the air in front of a yellow background.
AIS Report Reveals Why Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are Fearful of Police and Courts
Our report, Fear and Silence: 2025 Insights from Advocates for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking, provides insights into what advocates are reporting and witnessing while working with immigrant survivors this year.
“What we heard was clear and alarming: immigrant survivors are deeply afraid to seek help from the police or the courts,” said AIS Advocacy Coordinator Cecelia Friedman Levin. Seventy-six percent of advocates reported that immigrant survivors have concerns about contacting the police to report domestic violence and sexual assault. Read Our Report
Un informe revela por qué les sobrevivientes inmigrantes de violencia doméstica y agresión sexual temen a la policía y los tribunales
El año pasado, la Alianza para Sobrevivientes Inmigrantes (AIS) publicó un resumen de los resultados principales de una encuesta nacional de defensores y abogades que realizamos, seguido de un informe original, Pánico y Silencio: Observaciones de les defensores de les inmigrantes sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica, abuso sexual y trata de personas en 2025. Hoy, publicamos una versión en español de ambos recursos, que ofrecen más información sobre lo que les defensores están reportando y siendo testigos mientras trabajan con les sobrevivientes inmigrantes de violencia doméstica, agresión sexual y trata de personas.
“Lo que escuchamos fue claro y alarmante: les sobrevivientes inmigrantes tienen un miedo profundo de buscar ayuda de la policía o los tribunales,” dijo Cecelia Friedman Levin, Coordinadora de Defensoría de AIS. El setenta y seis por ciento de les defensores reportaron que les sobrevivientes inmigrantes tienen preocupaciones sobre contactar a la policía para denunciar violencia doméstica y agresión sexual. Lea la versión en español de nuestro informe
Graphic of report cover featuring an old-fashioned black public telephone headset dangling in the air in front of a yellow background.
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.