Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence Fear Deportation in Trump Era

Strategic Insights -

As the administration of President Donald Trump continues to ramp up its deportation efforts, immigrant survivors of domestic violence are increasingly hesitant to seek help, fearing arrest or deportation if they contact authorities. According to a national survey by The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors, 75% of advocates said their immigrant clients fear contacting law enforcement due to fear of arrest or deportation, and half of the advocates reported that their clients chose not to contact law enforcement altogether. Furthermore, 70% of the advocates surveyed expressed concern about going to court. The chilling effects of the increased ICE presence and arrests in immigrant communities are also reaching domestic violence shelters, with a 25% decrease in people seeking help at one such shelter in El Paso, Texas.

Key Takeaways:

  • 75% of advocates surveyed by The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors said their immigrant clients fear contacting law enforcement due to fear of arrest or deportation.
  • Half of the advocates reported that their clients chose not to contact law enforcement altogether.
  • 70% of the advocates surveyed expressed concern about going to court.
  • The number of people calling for help and information at the Tahirih Justice Center nationally has tripled during the first five months of 2020 compared to the same period last year.
  • Some abusers are using the fear of increased ICE arrests to keep immigrant survivors from leaving.
  • 25% of people seeking help at one domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas, have decreased since the Trump administration rolled back a Biden administration policy that had barred ICE agents from entering shelters.
  • 75% of the people served by a domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas, are children.
  • Families are being separated or deported, and a lot of them were raised in the US and have no idea what they would do if they were deported.
  • Domestic violence shelters have also lost funding since Trump took office, with one shelter in New Mexico losing close to $600,000 in federal funding.

Statistics:

  • 75% of advocates surveyed by The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors said their immigrant clients fear contacting law enforcement due to fear of arrest or deportation.
  • Half of the advocates reported that their clients chose not to contact law enforcement altogether.
  • 70% of the advocates surveyed expressed concern about going to court.
  • The number of people calling for help and information at the Tahirih Justice Center nationally has tripled during the first five months of 2020 compared to the same period last year.
  • 25% of people seeking help at one domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas, have decreased since the Trump administration rolled back a Biden administration policy that had barred ICE agents from entering shelters.
  • 75% of the people served by a domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas, are children.

Sources:

  • "Alliance for Immigrant Survivors" report
  • Victoria Valenzuela, USA TODAY article
  • Tahirih Justice Center
  • Harris County District Attorney's office
  • Women's Refugee Commission
  • El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos
  • Enlace Comunitario