Federal Laws



Federal law has not entirely forsaken these individuals.  The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides direct relief for battered immigrant women.  A battered immigrant woman married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident abuser may self-petition, or file applications for permanent residency on her own behalf, or, if placed into removal proceedings, may seek cancellation of removal under VAWA.  Additionally, battered immigrant women do not need to remain married to the batterer to seek theses benefits. 

Federal law offers some relief to certain undocumented children as well.  Under Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), an undocumented child that has been abused, abandoned, or neglected may be placed in long-term foster care by a juvenile court.  Once in long-term foster care, it is possible that the child could apply for permanent resident status.

Immigrant women and children may also benefit from Asylum under certain circumstances.  An individual may be considered for asylum or refugee status in the United States if the individual has a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.   

Victims of trafficking are also protected.  The United States federal government passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000. This act created a new type of visa called the non-immigrant T-visa. This visa is available to victims of sexual trafficking and allows the victim to live in the United States for three years and then apply for permanent legal status. Sadly only a small number of these visas have been awarded.

Through legal representation, outreach and advocacy, education, and research, Socorro seeks to address the needs of these vulnerable segments of society by locating the administrative and judicial remedies available to them. 

Socorro is working to establish partnerships with other organizations to expand its reach and provide culturally appropriate legal services.  Socorro has recently forged an alliance with Centro San Juan Diego.  Centro San Juan Diego is an institution dedicated to serving Colorado's Spanish-speaking immigrant and non-immigrant communities.  They offer a place were members of the Hispanic Community can come together to protect their spiritual life and Hispanic culture and traditions.
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