Schakowsky Introduces VAWA Immigrant Victims Act of 2007

SCHAKOWSKY INTRODUCES VAWA IMMIGRANT VICTIMS ACT OF 2007

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today introduced the VAWA Immigrant Victims Act of 2007, which amends the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to expand protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence. This legislation would ensure that immigrant victims have the financial, medical, and social resources necessary to escape abuse and lead productive lives.

"This bill would strengthen VAWA by eliminating the fears and obstacles that prevent battered immigrant women from escaping their abusers,... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "While VAWA has made significant progress in reducing domestic violence against immigrant women, there are still too many women and children who live in fear. This legislation would protect immigrant women and children by creating a better system to help them escape violence, gain independence and recover from abuse....

Under the current law, many VAWA eligible victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse or trafficking refuse to come forward because they fear deportation. Additional improvements are needed to streamline the processing of VAWA cases and adjustments to remove procedural impediments that delay or prevent victims from escaping abusers or overcoming the effects of victimization.

The VAWA Immigrant Victims Act of 2007 would:

• Stop the deportation of eligible immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking.
• Protect immigrant children who are victims of child abuse and child victim witnesses.
• Improve consistency and procedures for attaining VAWA immigration protections.
• Provide immediate access to health and other public benefits, including Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Income (SSI) and food stamps.

The improvements in this bill would help further VAWA's goal of providing protections and benefits for battered immigrant women and children. This bill would bring us a step closer to being a country that does not tolerate or condone violence against women and children.