New Mexico Immigrant Law Center

THE NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER (NMILC) WILL IMPLEMENT THE "BRIDGING THE GAP: EXPANDING LEGAL SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANT HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS" PROJECT AND FOCUS PRIMARILY ON SPANISH-SPEAKING LATINO IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. WITH A GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA COVERING THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN A BORDER STATE BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF BOTH LABOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING, WITH 75% OF RESOURCES DEDICATED TO LABOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS AND 25% TO SEX TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS. IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS, SUCH AS LACK OF LANGUAGE ACCESS, RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FEAR OF DEPORTATION, WHICH EXACERBATE THEIR VULNERABILITY AND LIMIT ACCESS TO SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS BY OFFERING TAILORED SERVICES AND FOSTERING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE A HOLISTIC SUPPORT NETWORK FOR IMMIGRANT TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CULTURALLY COMPETENT, TRAUMA-INFORMED DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND CONSULTATION FOR IMMIGRATION-RELATED MATTERS; CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSIST SURVIVORS LEGAL CASES AND ADDRESS THEIR OTHER NEEDS; TRAINING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE NEW MEXICO HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE. NMILC EXPECTS TO SERVE AT LEAST 110 UNDUPLICATED TRAFFICKING VICTIMS DURING THE THREE-YEAR GRANT PERIOD, PROVIDE AT LEAST 24 TRAINING SESSIONS, AND ATTEND ALL 12 OF THE QUARTERLY TASK FORCE MEETINGS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, IMPROVED COORDINATION AMONG SERVICE PROVIDERS, HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISSUES IMPACTING IMMIGRANTS, AND INCREASED SAFETY FOR IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THE PROJECT ALSO AIMS TO REDUCE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES' VULNERABILITY TO TRAFFICKING BY ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND PROVIDING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF LABOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING, PARTICULARLY SPANISH-SPEAKING LATINO IMMIGRANTS RESIDING IN NEW MEXICO. BY STRENGTHENING NMILC'S CAPACITY AS A CULTURALLY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL LEGAL SERVICES, THE PROJECT AIMS TO FACILITATE SELF-DETERMINATION AND HEALING FOR IMMIGRANT HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS.

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20121, IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY AID VICTIMS (AGES 11 AND OLDER) OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THAT ABUSE OR VIOLENCE. LEGAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY AND PRIVACY; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY; AND D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WHERE THE CONVICTION OF A VICTIM IS RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING. 34 U.S.C. 12291(A)(24)(C) AND (D). THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER (NMILC) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOLACE SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES (SOLACE), LA CASA INC. (LA CASA) AND CASA FORTALEZA, WILL PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, BRIEF LEGAL CONSULTATION, AND ADVOCACY TO SECURE ORDERS OF PROTECTION TO IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN FIVE URBAN COUNTIES IN CENTRAL, NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AREA: ADVANCE EQUITY AND TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 2020-WL-AX-0006.

THE RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (RURAL PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12341. RURAL PROGRAM FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT: 1) IDENTIFY, ASSESS, AND APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; 2) ESTABLISH AND EXPAND VICTIM SERVICES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS; 3) INCREASE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, BY (A) DEALING DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING; AND (B) CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THESE CRIMES; AND 4) DEVELOP, EXPAND, IMPLEMENT, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAMS. GRANTEES MUST USE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES IN IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROJECTS: 1) IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS AND PROJECTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; 2) PROVIDE TREATMENT, COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM VICTIM AND POPULATION SPECIFIC SERVICES TO ADULT AND MINOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; 3) WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP EDUCATION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES DIRECTED TOWARD SUCH ISSUES; 4) DEVELOP, ENLARGE, OR STRENGTHEN PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND 5) DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF WHO RESIDE IN REMOTE RURAL AND GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AREAS. WITH THIS CONTINUATION RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING GRANT AWARD, NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER (NMILC), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY AGAINST VIOLENCE, PHOENIX HOUSE, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND LAS CUMBRES COMMUNITY SERVICES SANCTUARIO DE CORAZON, WILL IMPLEMENT A LEGAL VICTIM SERVICES PROJECT FOR SIX COUNTIES IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO (LEA, EDDY AND CHAVEZ) AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO (RIO ARRIBA, COLFAX AND TAOS). SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES TARGETINGIMMIGRANT SURVIVORS WILL INCLUDE: 1) PROVIDING ONSITE AND VIRTUAL LEGAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES TO SURVIVORS; 2) PROVIDINGECONOMIC JUSTICE LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION AND REPRESENTATION WHEN DENIED PUBLIC BENEFITS; 3) PROVIDINGCASE MANAGEMENT AND/OR NAVIGATION SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS; 4) DELIVERING TRAININGS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS; 5) CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO CLIENTS ABOUT NMILC SERVICES; 6) OFFERINGLEGAL CLINICS WITH PARTNER AGENCIES; 7) PROVIDINGLEGAL SERVICES TO OBTAIN ORDERS OF PROTECTION, CHILD SUPPORT, CUSTODY AND DIVORCE, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS, CASE MANAGEMENT, THERAPY, AND SHELTER; AND 10) PROVIDING CULTURALLY-INFORMED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

ADDRESSING PRESSING LEGAL NEEDS FOR IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS IN RURAL NEW MEXICO

LAV PROJECT