The Impact of Recent USCIS Policy Manual Changes on Immigrant Survivors
- OVW Approved?
-
Yes
- Description
-
Who can attend?
This webinar is open to OVW LAV and ELSI grantees, sub-grantees, STOP subgrantees, and potential grantees in the following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Eligible attendees include staff of domestic violence coalitions, sexual assault coalitions, dual coalitions, and potential grantee organizations (including nonprofits and law school clinics serving survivors).
Speakers: Cristina Velez, Legal and Policy Director, ASISTA
Kelly Byrne, Staff Attorney, ASISTA
Carrie Tirrell, Senior Attorney, American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Description:
This interactive webinar for intermediate-level attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives will explore the impact of recent changes to the USCIS Policy Manual on immigrant survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Through lecture, hypotheticals, and group discussion, panelists will discuss changes to VAWA Self-Petitions, including USCIS interpretation of the joint residence requirement and the “any credible evidence” standard, as well as changes to the confidentiality and prohibited source protections in 8 U.S.C. 1367. Panelists will share practical tips throughout the webinar and will lead a discussion on how to educate decisionmakers about domestic violence dynamics and how to enhance decisionmakers’ perspective of survivors’ credibility, especially survivors from underserved communities whose stories may be disbelieved. Panelists will also invite grantees to share their experiences.