Immigrant women’s advocates decry 'deficiencies' of expanded US law on violence

After the United States Senate voted to expand the coverage of the country’s Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), immigrant women’s advocates expressed concern over the absence of a provision increasing the number of visas given to undocumented immigrants who are survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

An article on Asian Journal news site on Feb. 15 said the National Coalition for Immigrant Women’s Rights (NCIWR) commended the US Senate’s decision to renew and expand the VAWA, but raised the issue over the exclusion of “critical provisions” for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“While the Senate-approved VAWA bill retains many of the same protections as the bill proposed in the 112th Congress, it does not include the provision increasing the number of U-visas for undocumented immigrants who are survivors of domestic or sexual violence,” the article said.

The article noted that U-visas permit victims of sexual assault or domestic violence to petition for temporary legal status and work eligibility without relying on the status of their abusive partners.

“This opportunity allows undocumented victims, who are often intimidated or threatened into silence by their abusers, to testify against their attackers without fear of being deported,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Michelle Brané of the Women’s Refugee Commission said the vote of the US Senate over the VAWA “encouraged” the group, but also said they were concerned that “needed protection” for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors were left out.

“There is an obvious need for additional U-visas to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and we hope that immigration reform will take seriously the need to ensure the safety of immigrant victims,” Brané said.

On the other hand, Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), said "we remain disappointed that the U-visa increase may not be included in a final VAWA reauthorization.”

She said the group is still looking forward to work with the US Congress and the White House to ensure protection measures for the survivors are “promptly addressed.”

According to the 2011 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, there are around 260,335 irregular Filipinos in the United States.

"Irregular" pertains to Filipinos who are not properly documented or without valid residence or work permits, or who are overstaying.

Landmark law

An earlier report of Reuters noted that with strong bipartisan support, the Democratic-led Senate passed a White House-backed bill to expand and renew a landmark 1994 law to combat domestic violence.

On a 78-22 vote - with 23 Republicans joining 53 Democrats and two independents - the Senate sent the measure to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act to the Republican-led House of Representative for consideration.

The measure would renew anti-domestic abuse programs and provide additional provisions for certain populations, such as Native Americans.

The House rejected a similar measure last year during the heat of the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat and chief author of the bill, defended the bid to expand protections.

"A victim is a victim is a victim is a victim," Leahy said, regardless of their sexual preference, immigration status or if they are a Native American or not.

In the Asian Journal article, it was noted that Leahy has stated his intention to include the U-visa provision in an immigration policy reform package. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News

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