The Federal government has enacted legislation designed to protect immigrant victims of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking; these individual are provided with legal protection as they work to obtain a special visa. Even an immigrant who is undocumented can be protected and helped to obtain legal status if he or she meets the criteria under U.S. Immigration law. Catholic Charities Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Immigration project provides free legal assistance to qualified individuals and their families.
There are three primary methods to protect these immigrant victims: the VAWA self-petition, U-Visas and conditional resident battered spouse waivers. As part of the legal services, staff provide referrals to other resources in the community in support of clients and assist in the following:
- Working with clients to obtain available supporting documentation required for legal cases
- Translation of documents
- Testimony of the witnesses and/or petitioner
- Completion of petition applications for submission to the United States
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Eligibility determination for the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Program
Catholic Charities is a member of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Task Force to combat human trafficking and is active in communities statewide on issues related to immigration, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Human Trafficking
Our staff train law enforcement and social service agencies to recognize possible victims of human trafficking. We also work with Federal agencies to obtain certification of these victims so they receive social service benefits which are similar to those given to refugees.