Exploring the Impact of Undocumented Women’s Experiences of Domestic Violence and Fears of Deportation in New York City

• In Event: Documenting a Deportation Regime: Lessons from New York City and Beyond

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of domestic violence on undocumented women in New York City and the barriers that they face in seeking help. It is based on a series of focus groups and interviews with women, and also domestic violence advocates and immigration lawyers from the Urban Justice Center, NYC. It juxtaposes the feelings of personal insecurity and precariousness felt by many of the women as a result of the violence, familial relationships, language barriers and access to appropriate services with current political concerns over national security, which have led to heavy-handed immigration policies leaving women, who are not citizens, at risk of harassment and deportation. Fears of deportation serve to silence women and prevent them from seeking services, compounding their already precarious situations. By examining the needs of undocumented women in New York City it is evident that activism and policy needs to reflect the specificity of their experiences.

Authors

• Yolanda Ortiz-Rodriguez, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

• Jayne Mooney, John Jay College of Criminal Justice