Why You Should Attend

You should attend this training if you would like to provide pro bono services to immigrant domestic violence survivors. Immigrant domestic violence survivors may require assistance with a constellation of related yet distinct legal issues, more commonly in the areas of family law, domestic violence, housing, and public benefits.  While it may be difficult for a single attorney or legal service provider to provide all of these services, it is important to understand the comprehensive and holistic legal needs of an immigrant domestic violence survivor, and the intersectionality between these legal matters. This day-long program will develop the practitioner's understanding of how to provide culturally and linguistically responsive services to immigrant survivors, and provide guidance on how to issue spot various legal issues for immigrant survivors of domestic violence.  Experienced domestic violence advocates and legal practitioners in the areas of immigration, family law, public benefits, and housing will share their expertise by providing insight into issues that arise when working with immigrant clients, how these areas of law overlap to provide special protections and remedies to immigrants and domestic violence survivors, and how immigration status impacts eligibility availability of safety net programs for housing, public benefits and healthcare.

What You Will Learn

• Cultural and linguistic issues to be aware of when working with immigrant clients generally and specific issues that arise in working with immigrant survivors of domestic violence
• What is domestic violence and how it impacts immigrant communities
• What family law issues are implicated when working with immigrant survivors of domestic violence
• What immigration legal remedies and benefits are available for immigrant domestic violence survivors, and recent immigration updates impacting immigrant domestic violence survivors
• How immigration status can impact access to public benefits
• Special housing protections for immigrant domestic violence survivors in the Violence Against Women Act, Fair Housing laws, and other California laws

Who Should Attend

Legal aid, nonprofit and private practitioners who work with and/or would like to provide pro bono legal services for domestic violence survivors and immigrant communities.