News Story (Texas)
Dianne Solis
Dallas Morning News
May 9, 2016
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Sexual Assault
Organizations mentioned/involved: Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF)
DETAILS
Since their services began in October under the grant, Catholic Charities of Dallas has helped about 150 immigrant women and opened nearly five dozen legal cases. Under immigration law, victims of crime who have suffered “substantial mental or physical abuse” may be eligible for a special visa if they help law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. That visa can lead to permanent legal residency.
There may be other legal options to help immigrant victims under the Violence Against Women Act, Slaughter added.
About $10 million went to fund legal services programs for sexual assault programs through 2007 state legislation. The grant funds flow from a state tax levied on certain types of sexually oriented businesses.