Foreword

• Author: Elizabeth Anne Campbell; Rachel DeLia Settlage; Veronica Thronson

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Working with immigrant victims of crime is as challenging as it is rewarding.

Many victims have never had anyone advocate on their behalf; many have

had discouraging experiences with the immigration and law enforcement

systems; and many are trying to recover and move on from the violence

that has changed their lives, while at the same time dealing with complex

immigration laws. Those of us who work with immigrant victims of crime

often nd ourselves in a similar predicament: trying to establish the trust

and condence necessary for a successful working relationship while also

trying to navigate a labyrinth of immigration laws and regulations.

I have been representing immigrant victims of domestic violence, human

trafcking, rape, and other violent crimes since the 1990s. Each time I meet

a new client, I face similar questions and challenges. Is the client eligible

for any immigration relief? If she qualies for more than one form of relief,

which one is best suited to her needs? Are her children—inside and outside

the United States—also eligible for immigration benets? How long will it

take for her and her family to obtain the immigration benets they seek?

What potential barriers to relief does she face? These are just a few of the

questions that arise with each case, and often each answer leads to new

questions. More than once, as I have waded through various statutes, regu‑

lations, and cases to nd the answers for my clients, I wished that I had a

resource with all of the information I need at my ngertips.

Finally, there is such a resource, written exclusively for professionals

who assist immigrant victims of crime. Whether you are a new or experi‑

enced attorney, a legal assistant, a social worker, a law enforcement ofcer,

a prosecutor, a judge, or anyone else who interacts with immigrant victims

of crime, Immigration Relief: Legal Assistance for Noncitizen Crime Victims

is an invaluable resource. Its careful organization, thorough explanations,

and clear presentation demystify the daunting array of immigration statutes,

Foreword

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