Building Collaboration to Help Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Congress created the U visa to help both noncitizen victims of crime and law enforcement working with this vulnerable community. Domestic violence, sexual assault and other crime victim advocates, mental health professionals and lawyers all have a role in making the U visa work. In this webinar, Gail Pendleton of ASISTA Immigration Assistance will describe how the U visa works and the role that FJC staff can play in ensuring it's a useful tool for law enforcement and a safe route to status for noncitizens. ASISTA provides technical assistance and training for Office on Violence Against Women grantees, serves as the primary liaison with the Department of Homeland Security on U visas and helped work with Congress to create the U visa in 2000.