01 Mar 2013
On Thursday, February 28, 2013, the House passed the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with broad support. This bill was passed a few weeks earlier by the Senate, also with broad support. These votes greatly contrast last year’s discussions, in which Republicans and Democrats could not come to an agreement regarding VAWA.
The newly passed VAWA creates and expands federal programs to assist local communities and aid victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The bill provides support for children of deceased self-petitioners as well as extends protection under the U Visa category for children who age out while waiting for applications to be processed. The bill also provides training for law enforcement officials on the U and T visa categories, both of which provide protection for immigrant survivors of crimes and human trafficking.
The bill will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.
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