WSCADV joins the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) in opposing Executive Orders recently issued by the President relating to immigrants and refugees. These Executive Orders endanger the safety of victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking, their families, and communities at large. We oppose any policies that further isolate victims and create barriers to established legal protections.
Barring refugees and visa holders based on country of origin or religion further endangers those fleeing gender-based violence. The Executive Order suspending and limiting refugee admissions blocks countless women and children from obtaining the refuge they need escape trafficking, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence.
For twenty years, our Domestic Violence Fatality Review project has tracked and analyzed the most severe cases of domestic violence in Washington State. One of the key findings of this work over time is that the marginalization of immigrants is a danger to our communities. The threat of detention and deportation deters victims from turning to law enforcement for help, and abusive partners commonly use these threats to further isolate and control victims. When victims are afraid to turn to law enforcement and community resources, all of our safety is threatened.
Read NTF’s statement on the Executive Orders here. Read Tahirih Justice Center’s detailed summary of the potential negative consequences of the Executive Orders for refugee and immigrant survivors of gender-based violence here. This Tuesday, February 7th, Tahirih and the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence will offer a webinar: “What do the Immigration Executive Orders Mean for Survivors?” Learn more and register here.
Resources and further information about the impact of the current immigration-related Executive Orders is available from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, ACLU of Washington, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Immigrant Legal Resource Center.