Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) co-authored an Op-Ed on the consequences of the Trump Administration’s policies and executive orders for immigrant victims of domestic abuse. Congressman Nadler, a senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Congresswoman Dingell, a Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, have been vocal advocates on the issues of women’s rights, protecting victims of domestic violence, and immigration, and their piece sheds light on how immigrant victims of domestic abuse are being subjected to increased danger as a result of the Administration’s recent policies.
A preview of the Op-Ed can be found below, with the full version available on CNN.com:
A 36-year-old woman finally gets the courage to flee her partner, who abused her physically and sexually for years. She seeks assistance from the police and Family Court, working closely with detectives and district attorneys as they attempt to bring criminal charges against her abuser. After years of mistreatment, she finally secures an order of protection against her ex and starts a new life.
Then her situation changes. Her abuser returns, threatening her and her children. He is clearly in violation of the protection order, but the woman won't call the police. Why not? She's an undocumented immigrant and her ex has threatened to make "one call" to immigration and have her deported.
We wish this story weren't true. But it is the real experience of a woman living in New York City whose story was shared with us by an organization working to help immigrant victims of domestic abuse. And there are social workers in Michigan, Texas, California and all across this country who can tell similar stories as well.