Immigration and Domestic Violence

If you have questions or concerns about the contents of this page, please call the Special Projects Coordinator at (850)425-2749.

General Immigration Information

If you are a Refugee or Asylee or if you are an advocate for someone who is, please note that refugees and asylees may adjust status on their own regardless of whether their spouse/sponsor cooperates with the BCIS. This means that a refugee's sponsor/spouse may not withdraw his/her sponsorship for the refugee's immigration and that the refugee/asylee may adjust status when they become eligible whether their spouse/sponsor adjusts status or not. Refugees are also eligible for public benefits and refugee services.

Refugees are admitted each year subject to an established numerical limit, generally in the range of 80,000 to 90,000 individuals. Refugees are identified internationally by the United Nation High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) and processed for admission by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) (formerly INS). Once approved to travel, the U.S. State Department contracts with voluntary agencies to arrange their travel and initial resettlement. The voluntary agencies work through local affiliates to resettle refugee clients. Cuban and Haitian Entrants, as defined in the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, are also eligible for refugee services.

State, local and private agencies have developed linkages to provide federally funded services to refugees/entrants and specific classes of legal aliens. Governor Graham, by Executive Order, established the Secretary of HRS (now known as the Department of Children of Families) as the Florida State Refugee Coordinator. The Florida State Refugee Coordinator's main purpose is administrative and operational coordination of federally funded refugee and immigration-related services, federal immigration policy, and efforts to obtain and maintain federal funding. The function of Florida Refugee Services is to provide assistance to refugees of all nationalities and Cuban and Haitian entrants.

Haitian Refugee Domestic Violence Project

The Haitian Refugee Domestic Violence Project aims to address the three primary barriers facing many battered immigrant women in the Haitian-Creole community in South Florida.

First, as in all domestic violence situations, their batterers isolate them from family and friends. In addition, their situation is compounded with the issues of race, language, and cultural barriers which serve to magnify the isolation of battered immigrant women. For example, when they are originally from countries in which political repression is acute, they often exhibit a profound fear of law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, and the government. Most often, battered immigrant women see themselves as the mercy of the batterer particularly when the batterer uses threats of deportation as a means of control.

The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) will collaborate with three of the shelters in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to provide the Haitian-Creole community such direct services including:

translation services,
injunction assistance,
information & referral,
safety planning, and
education/training programs to a variety of civic & community based organizations.

The following centers are participating in the Haitian Refugee Domestic Violence Project.

Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse

Serving Palm Beach County and the cities of Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and West Palm Beach.
Hotline numbers: (561)265-2900 or 1-800-355-8547
PO Box 667
Delray Beach, FL 33447

Miami-Dade Advocates for Victims, Safespace (North)

Serving Miami-Dade County and the cities of Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Homestead, and Opa Locka.
Hotline numbers: (305) 758-2546 or (305)247-4249 (Homestead)
P.O. Box 380817
Miami, FL 33238-0817

Shelter for Abused Women and Children

Serving Collier County and the cities of Naples, Bonita Springs, Collier City, Everglades City, Immokalee, and Marco Island.
Hotline number: (239)775-1101
PO Box 10102
Naples, FL 34101
Administration (239)775-3862
FAX: (239)775-3061

Women in Distress of Broward County

Serving Broward County and the cities of Ft. Lauderdale, Hallandale, Hollywood, and Pompano.
Hotline number: (954)761-1133
PO Box 676
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33302
Phone: (954) 760-9800
FAX: (954) 687-0733

FLORIDA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
All calls to FCADV and services provided by FCADV are confidential.
425 Office Plaza Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone (850) 425-2749 ‡ FAX (850) 425-3091
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
TTY Hotline: 1-800-621-4202