The Womens Caucus has another concern as well. In 1994. the Womens Caucus supported and the Congress passed with strong bipartisan support the Violence Against Women Act. An important provision of that act allows for a suspension of deportation during a period in which an abused immigrant spouse is granted an exemption to pursue legal residency through selfpetition. Because the immigration section 245 provision in this bill does not contain that specific exemption for qualified immigrants. these battered spouses will be subject to deportation to obtain their green cards. making it harder for women and their children to leave dangerously abusive relationships with U.S. citizens. The women are often intimidated and reluctant to leave as it is. They may be subject to continuing abuse by their spouses and even to stalking if they return to their countries. The immigration provisions of the Violence Against Women Act were written to provide a way out of violent relationships for battered immigrant women and children. We believe that it is a serious mistake not to include this exemption.
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