Rocío moved from California to Texas and experienced intensified emotional and physical abuse from her husband. Being undocumented, she couldn’t access help or health care, making it challenging to leave. Studies show that immigrant victims of domestic violence are less likely to seek help. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a way for victims to get legal immigration status without the abuser’s help. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the process.
The backlog at USCIS has increased the processing time for VAWA cases, leaving victims stranded without jobs or mental health care. This delay also has psychological effects on victims. Some have to endure staying with their abusers for years due to the lengthy process.
Immigrants like Rocío face obstacles accessing health care and jobs without legal status. Despite receiving a job permit, it only offers temporary relief. The wait for permanent residency through VAWA leaves victims in limbo, unable to make long-term plans. Legal aid organizations are lobbying for faster processing times to provide timely relief to abuse victims.
Rocío’s story highlights the challenges faced by immigrant abuse victims in navigating the legal system to find safety and stability.