Recent executive orders and implementing memos revolving around immigration send a dangerous message to immigrant communities, especially those who have survived violence—namely that reaching out for help will put you at risk of deportation. Human traffickers, perpetrators of sexual assault, including sexual abuse in the workplace, and domestic abusers prey on vulnerable immigrants, and often threaten their victims that seeking assistance from the police or courts will result in deportation.
LACLJ as well as over 560 other national, state and local organizations sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John F. Kelly and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Thomas Homan highlighting how detrimental these new policies are for immigrant survivors and their families and calling on DHS to recognize that immigrant communities deserve safety and justice.
We are proud to be a part of this effort–read the full letter here!
