The right to legal separation or divorce without the consent of your spouse.The right to obtain a protection order for you and your child(ren).Laws governing families provide you with: All people in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, are guaranteed basic protections under both civil and criminal law. What are the legal rights for victims of domestic violence in the United States?Ī2.
WHAT HAPPENED TO PERMANENT PRESS SHEETS HOW TO
laws and know how to get help if you need it. This fact sheet is intended to help you understand U.S. If you are experiencing domestic violence in your home, you are not alone. An immigrant victim of domestic violence may also be eligible for immigration related protections. Any victim of domestic violence – regardless of immigration or citizenship status – can seek help. All people in the United States (regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, ethnicity, national origin or immigration status) are guaranteed protection from abuse under the law. Under all circumstances, domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse are illegal in the United States. Child abuse includes: physical abuse (any injury that does not happen by accident, including excessive punishment), physical neglect (failure to provide food, shelter, medical care or supervision), sexual abuse, and emotional abuse (threats, withholding love, support or guidance). Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, even with your spouse, and can be committed by anyone. While most recorded incidents of domestic violence involve men abusing women or children, men can also be victims of domestic violence.ĭomestic violence may include sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes. Abuse may include physical harm, forced sexual relations, emotional manipulation (including isolation or intimidation), and economic and/or immigration-related threats. Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior when one intimate partner or spouse threatens or abuses the other partner. One of IMBRA’s goals is to provide accurate information to immigrating fiancé(e)s and spouses about the immigration process and how to access help if their relationship becomes abusive.Ī1. government provide foreign fiancé(e)s and spouses immigrating to the United States information about their legal rights as well as criminal or domestic violence histories of their U.S.
Also, this fact sheet provides the same information as the pamphlet titled, “ Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa (PDF, 52.39 KB).” The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) requires that the U.S. This fact sheet will explain domestic violence and inform you of your legal rights in the United States. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.
For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States.