In this final episode on benefits and services for immigrant domestic and sexual violence survivors, Director Leslye Orloff, Assistant Director Rafaela Rodrigues of NIWAP at American University Washington College of Law, and Elliott Casey from the Virginia Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council continue their discussion with a focus on the importance of victim access to benefits and services from the perspective of law enforcement and prosecutors. The speakers cover key dos and don’ts when assisting immigrant victims with accessing benefits and services, and address questions about how prosecutors’ discovery obligations align with the support they provide to survivors—helping victims achieve safety, economic stability, and greater cooperation in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

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In this fifth episode on benefits and services for immigrant survivors, Director Leslye Orloff, Assistant Director Rafaela Rodrigues, NIWAP American University Washington College of Law, and Elliott Casey from the Virginia Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council continue their discussion, focusing on victim advocacy and how advocates and attorneys can help survivors navigate the process of applying for benefits and services that victims of domestic and sexual violence—and their children—are legally eligible to receive. They discuss the crucial role advocates and attorneys play in assisting immigrant victims with applications and identifying all the benefits and services for which victims and their children qualify. Advocacy also empowers survivors by ensuring that benefits workers receive legally accurate information about state and federal laws proving a victim’s and/or their child’s eligibility to approve applications. The discussion includes steps advocates and attorneys can take when victims’ benefits applications are wrongly denied. Advocates make a significant difference for immigrant domestic and sexual violence victims, and NIWAP highlights the importance of this role.

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Public Benefits

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In this fourth episode on benefits and services for immigrant survivors, Director Leslye Orloff, Assistant Director Rafaela Rodrigues, NIWAP American University Washington College of Law, and Elliott Casey from the Virginia Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council continue their discussion, specifically focusing on benefits for crime victims. Immigration status and the state of residence of the victim are some factors that impact available benefits and services. Immigrant victims of crime are often eligible for more than one type of legal immigration status, and public benefits can be a factor in deciding which of the victim’s legal immigration options are best for the victim and their children. The major categories of legal immigration relief discussed in the context of economic stability provided are VAWA-related immigration relief, SIJS, T Visa, and U Visa. The speakers emphasize the importance of encouraging survivors to apply for legal immigration relief early, and the episode ends with data showing the positive impact that work authorization and access to the benefits and services safety net can have on the lives of survivors.

More information on

Public Benefits

Public Benefits Map

NIWAP Web Library

NIWAP YouTube Channel