LAV Newsletter - August 2018

This article is a guide to assisting immigrant families with obtaining federal housing benefits through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Both documented and undocumented persons can be eligible for Public Housing, Project-Based Section 8 and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs under 24 CFR § 5.504.

When working with families navigating federal housing assistance system it is important to understand the different terms being used to describe their immigration status. “Mixed-Status Family” is a term referring to a family with members of varying legal immigration status. While this term refers to families with both citizen and non-citizen parents and children, these families may consist of members with any combination of legal status. A prevalent situation is one in which the children have citizenship by being born in the U.S. and at least one parent is a non-citizen. “Non-citizen” is a term referring to a person who has not obtained U.S. citizenship, but resides in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant or a lawful immigrant. A “lawful immigrant” is a person who has received a type of status that allows him or her to legally reside in the U.S. This includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, temporary visitors, and so many more. A “non-immigrant” is a person who is allowed to enter the U.S. for a specific purpose for a certain period of time. This includes students, tourists, visitors, migrant laborers, and others.

Pursuant to 24 CFR §5.504 families considered ‘mixed families’ are eligible for assistance for federal housing assistance. Eligibility for housing assistance depends on the status of the person receiving benefits (e.g. a child, but not the parent). The amount of rent the tenant(s) pay(s) is prorated, meaning that rent will be based on the number of people in the household who are eligible immigrants. HUD programs do not require that the head of the household be a citizen or eligible immigrant. It is important to note that undocumented persons applying alone or without documented family members are not eligible for this benefit. Confusion and fear regarding eligibility rules has caused a reduction in benefit use among immigrant families. In mixed-status families, there is reluctance to seek benefits even for those who are eligible. Many families with non-citizen members fear interaction with government officials.1

The KCSDV Immigration Project also recognizes that this fear of interaction with government officials extends to law enforcement officials and is represented in persons reporting crimes. This fear is directly impacting the survivors of sexual and domestic violence that we are so passionate about assisting. Studies show us that 18% of the U.S. population is immigrant or foreign-born, but less than 1% of reported sexual assaults are against foreign-born victims. Yet, studies show that one in three immigrant women, ages 18-50, report being victims of sexual assault.2 Research has also demonstrated that the percentage of victims willing to call police after the incident varies greatly between persons in a stable immigration status (reported at 34.4%) as opposed to undocumented immigration status (reported at 14.8%).3 By working with and advocating for immigrant families we are creating safer and more stable communities in Kansas.

If you feel that your client or someone in your community could benefit from immigration assistance or advocacy please reach out to the KCSDV Immigration Project.

KCSDV Immigration Project Attorney – Jenna Christophel jchristophel@kcsdv.org

KCSDV Immigration Advocate – Yesenia Ceja Ramirez yceja-ramirez@kcsdv.org

Link to the full 24 CFR § 5.504 citation: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2018-title24-vol1/xml/CFR-2018-title24-vol1-sec5-504.xml.

¹ Fact Sheet: Mixed-Status Families, Prepared by Ann Beuch, MSW/MPP Candidate, with consultation by John Keller, Executive Director, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, http://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Mixed-StatusFamilies.pdf.

² National Violence Against Women Survey: Latina and other foreign-born women are less likely to report rape.

³ Legal Momentum, Immigrant Women Program, 2005 Conference

Webinar 4: Immigration Overview: VAWA Self-Petitions CLE
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 @ 12:00
Presenters: Jenna Christophel, KCSDV Immigration Project Attorney & Yesenia Ceja Ramirez, KCSDV Immigration Advocate

Objectives:

• Furnishing an overview of KCSDV/resources we offer (Immigration Project)
• Understanding immigration advocacy for survivors – what questions to ask
• Providing an overview of form I-360
• Collecting evidence in VAWA cases
• Discussing USCIS VAWA interviews – things to watch for in SA/DV cases

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5723435601115915777

Webinar 5: Protection Orders: Protecting All Victims of SA/DV CLE
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 @ 12:00
Presenters: Jenna Christophel, KCSDV Immigration Project Attorney & Alyssa Bauer, KCSDV Protection Order Project

Objectives:

• Furnishing an overview of KCSDV (Protection Order Project)
• Reviewing the Kansas protection order statute
• Understanding who can apply for a protection order
• Helping immigrant communities feel empowered to seek protection orders
• Understanding advocacy in the civil system for undocumented persons
• Addressing what to do if a protection order is denied

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4114057341795967745

Webinar 6: Ethical Considerations for Nonprofit Attorneys CLE
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 @ 12:00
Presenters: Jenna Christophel, KCSDV Immigration Project Attorney & Jocilyn Oyler, KCSDV LAV Project Attorney

Objectives:

• Furnishing an overview of KCSDV/resources we offer
• Keeping client confidentiality in a nonprofit organization
• Representing clients on behalf of the organization – limited scope agreements
• Understanding what happens when a nonprofit attorney leaves
• Reviewing conflicts of interest & files – how far back should your database go?
• Becoming competent in all nonprofit needs – is it possible?

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4114057341795967745

Questions about the webinars? Contact: Jenna Christophel

Trauma Informed Sexual Assault Training
for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Forensic Nurses, Victim Advocates and Forensic Laboratory Personnel presented by the Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

GUEST PRESENTER: CHIEF (Ret.) TOM TREMBLAY
www.tomtremblayconsulting.com

Sexual assault is one of the most complex crimes in our society and the activism and outrage about sexual assault has never been higher. The complexities of these crimes requires us to think broadly and comprehensively including examining the myths and biases and the new “trauma informed” training, including neurobiology of trauma, for all multidisciplinary partners responsible for the response to sexual assault cases. The effects of trauma are often misinterpreted so justice in sexual assault response begins with understanding of the devastating impacts of sexual violence trauma on victims and survivors. By understanding trauma, all those who work with victims can contribute to their immediate and long term recovery and lay the foundation for mutual cooperation and respect on which a successful response, investigation, and prosecution is built.

Location & Dates

Topeka, Kansas – September 10-11, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas – September 13-14, 2018

Registration fees have been covered by the Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. To register for a training session or for more information, go to: www.kletc.org

Safety, Accountability, Justice: Enhancing Coordinated Responses to Sexual Assault Cases within Multidisciplinary Teams
Presented by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and the Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and Multidisciplinary Working Group for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Community-Based Advocates, System-Based Advocates, SANEs, Forensic Nurses, and Forensic Laboratory Personnel

14 hours CLE & CNE Approved

Location & Dates

Wichita, Kansas – August 21-22, 2018
Hays, Kansas – September 18-19, 2018
Garden City, Kansas – September 25-26, 2018

Day 1 of this training will focus on defining common goals and understanding each professional’s role in sexual assault cases in order to enhance coordinated, trauma-informed responses to sexual assault in communities.

Day 2 of this training will focus on effective team approaches to victim notification and contact in sexual assault cold cases, including training on the Kansas SAKI victim notification protocol.

Learn more and register at: www.kcsdv.org/train

WHO’S WHO IN KANSAS DV/SV LAW
This section is the home for information on Kansas attorneys and advocates who are doing stellar work for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. We want to feature all of the network referral attorneys and advocates who do the hard work of representing and working with victims. Please feel free to send nominations for Who’s Who in DV/SA Law to Jenna Christophel at jchristophel@kcsdv.org.