VAWA 1994 Outline

For centuries domestic violence has been perceived as a private matter private of which the government has not been concerned about nor was it considered the government’s business to intervene on behalf of a battered spouse. The unlawful nature of this failure for state or federal government intervention against this crime contributed to the systematic abuse of women in the family. The traditions, customs, and common law found in both British and American societies continued right up until the last decade of the 20th century and left the battered wives and very frequently, her children, at the mercy of the husband. It wasn’t until the 1990’s when the government began to do something to protect mothers, wives, and lovers from intimate

“Senate Bill 4 is a piece of legislation that Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed in May and it aims to ban “sanctuary cities” by requiring sheriffs, constables, police chiefs and other local leaders to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and allows police to ask about the immigration status of individuals they lawfully detain” (Alvarez). The consequences for sheriffs, constables, police chiefs and other local leaders if they do not follow the legislation are that they could face Class A misdemeanor and possibly jail time (Mansoor & Pollock). “In addition, they can could face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for the first violation and $25,000 to 25,500 for consecutive offenses” (Alvarez). Many people are against Senate

The report responding to section 40507 of the Violence Against Women Act from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- National Institute of Mental Health determined that:

Hispanics, Mexicans, and Latin Americans do not only face discrimination on the roadways but also in areas of immigration law enforcement due to past incidents in America with people of their ethnicity. In 2010 an American citizen of Mexican descent and his family were coming back to America from a family trip to Mexico, when him and his family, including his eighteen month old son, were subjected to an additional screening and special search because of their origin. In New Jersey 2007 police referred around 10,000 individuals who they believed to be undocumented to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), and less than 1,500 of those referred to ICE had immigration offenses. Even though nearly ninety percent of those referred were legal residents or U.S citizens, they were all still jailed for a few days, resulting, once again in unjust treatment of American citizens because of the color of their skin (The Reality of Racial Profiling).

Illegal immigration at the U.S. - Mexico border is a growing problem, and the death toll is rising as more people are attempting to illegally enter the United States. As a result of an increasing number of people trying to enter into the United States illegally, the border is now being guarded by an increasing number of border patrol officers. The United States implemented different laws and operations to prevent more illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States. The ‘Operation Gatekeeper’ was introduced in 1994, which increased the number of Border Patrol officers. The most recent and controversial law was passed in Arizona, which essentially ‘allows’ officers to use racial profiling to check legal status of anyone in that

“In 2005, a study analyzing data accumulated statewide in Texas reveals disproportionate traffic ceases and searches of African Americans and Hispanics, even though law enforcement authorities were more liable to find contraband on Whites.” (The Reality of Racial Profiling) The utilization of personal characteristics or comportment patterns to make generalizations about a person is called racial profiling. Throughout time, the utilization of race by law enforcement agencies in their policing activities has received considerable attention across the nation. The 4th amendment right that one has as an American, which is protecting against unreasonable search and seizure, is becoming contravened; one reason for the way one looks. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that racial profiling violates the constitutional requirement that all persons be accorded equal protection of the law, but it is still occurring in our society. Racial Profiling has caused the violation of our rights whether it maybe from a terry stop that was originated for the case Terry vs. Ohio, stop and frisk, racial vehicle stops, and the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act also known as Arizona SB 1070.

The state of Arizona has issued a new state law which enables police officers to act as immigration officers. With this underestimated powers given to the police, it will cause a lot of problems, and sensitivities to all the legal and illegal immigrants (Cnn.com). Undocumented students residing Arizona will be in a constant fear of being deported since any minor issue such as calling the police for help in any case given can put their lives in the danger of deportation. It’s only a matter of time if the government doesn’t stop this act, Arizona will impose unfair laws for education toward undocumented students. This will only cause chaos, and taking away the validity of the American Dream.

The current laws in place for protecting victims of domestic violence are not as effective as they could be. Many times a person who is experiencing domestic violence will be referred to a refuge

Throughout the last decade lawmakers have be aiding the racial profiling scene. Arizona legislature passed a law allowing for an officer to demand

Subsequently, VAWA continues to have a positive impact on the women who experience violence in the United States. The passing of the 2013 Violence against Women Act has proven that the national sentiment towards victims of domestic violence continues to move in a positive direction. It stands against the injustice being done to the American woman being abused right next door, to the Indian woman on a reservation enduring violence every now and then, to the human trafficked young girl brought here to sell her body, to the man who is silently being abused by his spouse. This act extends compassion and protection to all victims of abuse and it is a powerful legislative effort that guarantees the security and care of these

Racial Profiling is unconstitutional and illegal, yet it’s still used in law enforcement. The practice of racial profiling, as defined by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), refers to the “discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin”(ACLU 2005). Racial profiling causes more harm than good, it can cause emotional, mental and more often physical harm to the person being subjected to the practice. According to the Fourth and Fourteenth amendments, racial profiling is unconstitutional. It causes distrust in law enforcement because ethnic

The mandatory arrest law, falling under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), though originally passed in 1994, has been reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. With the VAWA expiring in 2011, reauthorization of this act, including its

A battered spouse or child a U.S. citizen or permanent resident may file for an immigrant visa petition under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). A battered parent may file if their son or daughter is a U.S. citizen. The filing of the petition is without the abuser’s knowledge, who will never be notified about the filing, and allows the victim to gain safety and independence from the abuser. The VAWA provisions apply equally to women and men and are permanently within the INA without need for congressional reauthorization.

Domestic violence became a realization and a serious concern in the mid 1970’s for many Americans. “This realization is due to the women advocating on behalf of the battered women movement”

Mrs. Thomas has a deep belief that the world would be a much more productive place if women and girls around the world were able to enjoy all human rights that are equal with men. According to Mrs. Thomas, there are two primary forms of VAW that subjugate women from living their life freely: limits on women’s reproductive health and rights and domestic violence to keep