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VAWA laws under attack

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Victims of domestic violenceand victims of crime should be very concerned about what the US House is attempting to do to do with the laws designed to protect society's most vulnerable. HR 4970 is a VAWA bill from the House. The bill contains numerous toxic provisions. If passed, the bill would:

· make it more difficult and risky for abused aliens to self-petition for immigration relief;
· require that the statute of limitations has not lapsed on the crime embodied in the abuse;
· require that the crime embodied in the abuse is actively under investigation or prosecution;
· require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a report on possible fraud in petitions and self-petitions by abused aliens for U and T visas;
· repeal the provision in current law that makes it possible for "U" visa recipients to adjust to LPR status;
· provide exceptions to confidentiality promised to trafficking victims in order to permit information sharing "for national security purpose[s]";
· require DHS to consider statements made by the abuser in cases where an abused alien is seeking

These are harmful provisions that will make it more difficult for abused immigrants as well as the law enforcement community. The House is prepared to vote on this bill any day now so if you want your voice to be heard, now is the time to call your Representatives to tell them not to leave victims unprotected.

The Senate has already passed a different version of the VAWA laws that is less harmful but does propose to make a third time DUI conviction an aggravated felony which would subject individuals to immediate deportation.

Rekha Sharma-Crawford
Sharma-Crawford Attorneys At Law, LLC.
515 Avenida Cesar E Chavez
Kansas City, MO 64108
(p)816-994-2300
(f)816-9942310
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