It may well require DHS to ask foreign govemments to investigate and reveal the criminal histories of U.S. legal permanent residents and citizens who have lived in other countries and are now trying to sponsor a family member. DHS may then go to countries with long histories of politically motivated persecution or human rights abusessuch as Cuba. Sudan. or Iranand inquire about the criminal history of one of their citizens who has received asylum or refugee status here due to persecution they suffered in that country. Not only might this lead to inaccurate information from untrustworthy governments. but it also may lead to reprisals against the family members of refugees who fled persecution by the foreign government. Fourth. this amendment will also keep some victims of domestic violence from bringing family members to join them in the U.S. Unfortunately. perpetrators of domestic violence are sometimes able to get their victims arrested for domestic violence offences. especially when the abuser has superior Englishspeaking skills to the victim. Furthermore. battered immigrant women who are arrested often receive bad legal advice and are often likely to take a plea offer. even when they did nothing wrong. Among other changes. the amendment needs to include an exemption for victims of battering or extreme cruelty. Approved VAWA. Tvisa trafficking victims and Uvisa crime victims need to be exempt. as do immigrant victims with domestic violence convictions who already qualify for waivers under VAWA 2000 protections. The safety of immigrant victims can be enhanced by expanding their support system to include close family members. We should not bar victims of domestic violence from sponsoring their children. siblings and other close relatives. If this amendment passes as it is. it will do just that.
Keywords matched
refugees immigrant refugee