AIS WISE ACT BRIEFING: ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

This event has passed but you can watch a video recording of our briefing below.

Please join us for a critical briefing on the Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act, H.B. 5145, a comprehensive bill extending critical immigration benefits to immigrant survivors. From the very first bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) over 25 years ago, Congress created immigration protections, like VAWA self-petitions, U and T visas, so that survivors do not have to choose between living with abuse and risking deportation or separation from their families. 

In order for survivors to realize these pathways to safety, we must ensure that the need is adequately met and survivors are protected while their applications are pending. The WISE Act aims to safeguard and improve existing protections for immigrant survivors in order to help them achieve safety and justice. Join the Co-Chairs of the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS) to learn more about this critical piece of legislation and how you can help support and empower immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.

You may have joined our September virtual briefing on the WISE Act (H.R. 5145). This briefing, Addressing the Needs of Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: WISE, will be in person on October 26, 2023, at the Capitol Visitors Center aimed at informing Members of Congress and Hill staff about WISE. Register for free If you can’t join us in D.C., watch a livestream of the briefing on Tahirih’s Instagram page.

 

Briefing Panelists:

  • Ruth Glenn, President, Survivor Justice Action

  • Kelly Head, Staff Attorney, ASISTA (AIS Co-Chair)

  • Casey Carter Swegman, Director of Public Policy, Tahirih Justice Center (AIS Co-Chair)

  • Grace Huang, Policy Director, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (AIS Co-Chair)

  • Patricia Tototzintle, President and CEO, Esperanza United (AIS Co-Chair)

Moderator:

  • Olivia Garcia, Director of Public Policy, Esperanza United (AIS Co-Chair)

Sponsor:

  • Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)

This event has passed, but you can watch a video recording of the briefing above

Date: Thursday, October 26 at 2:00 PM ET

Location: Capitol Visitor Center, HVC Room 215 (Map)

For questions or more information, please contact AIS Co-Chairs:
Grace Huang at ghuang@api-gbv.org
Kelly Head at kelly@asistahelp.org
Yasmin Campos-Mendez at ycamposmendez@esperanzaunited.org
or Casey Swegman at caseys@tahirih.org

Thank you to our wonderful briefing sponsors!