![\"Executive](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-1024x681.jpg\")
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By Shani Adess At Safe Horizon’s Immigration Law Project, we are alarmed at the numerous executive orders that were issued this past week, which serve to undermine safety, roll back protections for those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance, and have an undercurrent of \u201cotherizing\u201d and \u201cdemonizing\u201d people based on where they come from, what they believe in, and how they identify.<\/p>\n The orders included directives to temporarily stop all refugee resettlement to the United States, during the largest refugee and internally displaced persons crisis in world history, stop resettlement of all Syrian refugees indefinitely, and redirect future refugee resettlement priorities to prioritize people fleeing religious persecution from countries where they are in the religious minorities.\u00a0 At the same time, the orders inhibit anyone from Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan (all countries where Islam is the majority religion) for 30 days from entering the United States, regardless of whether they have valid visas or temporary immigrant or nonimmigrant status.<\/p>\n The prior executive orders, issued earlier in the week, direct an increase immigration enforcement activities, build a wall at our border, and to withdraw federal funds, and enable legal action to be taken against Sanctuary Cities for allowing their local law enforcement to focus on enforcing local criminal law, rather than acting as federal immigration agents.<\/p>\n These orders have already bred chaos, tragedy, and despair. Safe Horizon is working on the ground with other legal service providers, in airports and within the community, to provide immigration advice and legal advocacy for persons and families affected by these inhumane and unconstitutional orders.<\/p>\n These executive orders undermine the fundamental values that have made America a beacon of hope for so many within our own communities, and across the world. The vast breadth of immigration enforcement activities contemplated by these executive orders fails to take into account the family ties and contributions to community someone may have, or the vulnerabilities and well-founded fear that an asylum seeker or person seeking humanitarian relief may have when appearing at our border. They weaken our own communities, by making people afraid to engage with systems and agencies, to report crimes, to seek help, health care, education, or protection when necessary.<\/p>\n It is contrary to law, and contrary to the central principles of human rights and a just society, to single out certain groups based on their race, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual and gender identity, as being less entitled to protection under our laws. We are grateful for New York City, State and local officials\u2019 commitment to recognizing this fact. And for reaffirming their commitment to have New York City remain a Sanctuary City. Numerous officials have spoken out to reiterate that they believe, as does Safe Horizon, that our diversity, inclusiveness, and movement towards becoming a more free, fair, and just society, is what makes our country, our city, and our communities so great.<\/p>\n Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project<\/a> is committed to continuing our decades of legal representation on behalf of immigrants in New York City. We provide free and low cost legal services to victims and family members of victims of domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse, torture, persecution, or other crimes, regardless of a person\u2019s immigration status. We will continue to advocate to ensure that all people are able to seek assistance and protection when they need it, and that someone who has suffered a crime or trauma is not further victimized or at risk of being deported and\/or separated from their children solely because of their immigration status.<\/p>\n Safe Horizon stands with all immigrants, all survivors of violence, and all people who have been marginalized. Please stand with us, as we advocate and make clear: you cannot serve just some of us, you cannot protect just some of us, all humans are equal, and all humans deserve to live a life free from violence and fear.\u00a0 No human is illegal.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shani Adess Esq., senior supervising attorney at our Immigration Law Project, discusses why Executive Orders made by recent administration are dangerous.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":3844,"alt_text":"Executive Orders on Immigration, Refugees and Sanctuary Cities","caption":"","description":"Executive Orders on Immigration, Refugees and Sanctuary Cities","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":4256,"height":2832,"file":"2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-150x150.jpg"},"medium":{"file":"Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-300x200.jpg","width":300,"height":200,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-300x200.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-768x511.jpg","width":768,"height":511,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-768x511.jpg"},"large":{"file":"Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-1024x681.jpg","width":1024,"height":681,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities-1024x681.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"1.4","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D700","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1485703792","copyright":"","focal_length":"50","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.000125015626953","title":"","orientation":"1","keywords":[]}},"post":3828,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Executive-Orders-on-Immigration-Refugees-and-Sanctuary-Cities.jpg"},"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2015],"tags":[326,328,330,338],"class_list":["post-3828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safe-blog","tag-executive-orders","tag-immigration","tag-refugees","tag-sanctuary-cities","issue-victims-of-other-abuse"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","page_header_excerpt":"","page_header_image":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/silhouette_hero_image.png","original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"Help protect immigrant victims of violence","related_initiative_link":"https:\/\/putthenailinit.com\/take-the-vow\/","related_initiative_link_text":"Sign our pledge","featured_posts":[{"ID":3662,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2017-01-27 18:51:37","post_date_gmt":"2017-01-27 18:51:37","post_content":"\n <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Shani Adess At Safe Horizon, we believe that a person\u2019s legal status should not be a barrier to one\u2019s ability to seek help, obtain justice, and live a life free from violence. Safe Horizon\u2019s Immigration Law Project (ILP) is staffed with trained and experienced attorneys that advocate on behalf of immigrant survivors of crime, torture, or abuse in New York City. The statements and conversations around immigration during the recent presidential election have sparked numerous concerns, which I will address in the following blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have received many calls from clients and others in our community who have expressed increased concern and anxiety. It is very important that anyone with questions speaks with a qualified legal representative. Talking to an immigration law expert can help one to better understand their rights, evaluate their and their families\u2019 eligibility for permanent immigration relief, and create a safety plan to protect them and their children should any issues regarding their immigration status arise in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to remember that we do not yet know if any changes will take place after January 20th<\/sup>. Nevertheless, we are working hard to ensure that we are able to quickly respond to any changes that might occur, and will continue to promote and protect the rights of undocumented immigrants in our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For victims of violence or abuse, nothing is more important than safety. Every individual has a right to live free from harm, abuse, and violence. Local, city, and state agencies in New York firmly support all peoples\u2019 rights to have access to services to ensure their safety. This includes access to; emergency shelter, emergency health care, courts to seek orders of protection, law enforcement and the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since 2003 New York has been a \u201cSanctuary City.\u201d This means that city agencies are not authorized to report people who seek assistance to immigration authorities. These agencies include New York Police Department (NYPD), Administration for Children\u2019s Services (ACS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), and Family Courts. In recent weeks, local and city agencies, our Mayor, and our Governor, have all reasserted their commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants in our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are afraid and need help call one of our three 24-hour hotlines that operate seven days a week, 365 days a year. Advocates are standing by right now to help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a temporary immigration benefit created through an Executive Order by President Obama. DACA gives undocumented immigrants that meet certain criteria the ability to obtain employment authorization and protection from deportation. DACA has enabled undocumented immigrants to continue their education, obtain jobs, and advance their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are hopeful that policy makers will recognize the positive contributions that DACA has made possible, and will advocate for its continuation. However, given the adversarial statements made during the election, we do not recommend that people submit new applications for DACA at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For people who currently have DACA and who want to renew their status, we recommend speaking with an attorney in advance about the risks and the practicalities of whether their applications would be evaluated prior to any change in law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Immigration law is complex, and it is important to seek qualified legal advice if you have any questions. One of the best things someone can do is to create a safety plan in the event that they are apprehended and\/or arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has created a fantastic guide to creating a family preparedness plan that includes arranging for childcare, keeping a list of important information for caregivers as well as access to legal documents or accounts they may need, and ensuring that your family or friends know who to contact and what to do if you are detained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read ILRC\u2019s Family Preparedness Guide Here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You have rights! Immigrants, regardless of their status, have rights and protections afforded to them under the law, including the right to due process. So what does this mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone with a prior deportation order is more at risk of immediate removal, so we recommend that if anyone has been previously removed from the United States and\/or has an arrest record (even without convictions) in the United States, they seek legal advice as soon as possible as they may be more at risk for future immigration action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a lot of fraud and misinformation being spread by non-legal advocates urging people to file applications for which they may not be eligible. This may put people more at risk, and it is important that they speak with a legitimate service provider before submitting any application to immigration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ILP remains dedicated and committed to promoting and protecting the rights of the vibrant and diverse immigrant communities that provide so much to our city and country. We will continue to stand with them, and with survivors of crime throughout New York City. If you have questions, or in need of assistance, please contact our intake hotline at 718-943-8634 (M-F 9am \u2013 5pm). For further resources or information please visit our ILP page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safe Horizon stands with all immigrants, all survivors of violence, and all people who have been marginalized. Please stand with us, as we advocate and make clear: all humans are equal and deserve a life free from violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nJanuary 27, 2017<\/em><\/p>\nHow These Executive Orders Affect Immigrant Communities<\/h1>\n
How These Executive Orders Impact our Immigration Law Project<\/h1>\n
January 27, 2017<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Changes Has ILP Seen Since the 2016 Presidential Election?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should Undocumented Immigrant Victims of Crime Still Feel Comfortable Seeking Help If They Need It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Is DACA And What Will Happen to DACA Under the New Administration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Can I do to Best Protect Myself and My Family?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Else Should I Know?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Is It Important to Speak with an Immigration Lawyer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additional Immigration Resources:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Help Protect Immigrant Victims of Violence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Undocumented Immigrant Victims of Crime: Know Your Rights","post_excerpt":"Are you an undocumented immigrant victim of crime? Shani Adess Esq., senior supervising attorney at our Immigration Law Project, outlines what you should know.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"undocumented-immigrant-victims-crime-know-rights","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-10 14:40:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-10 18:40:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=3662","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7939,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2020-05-21 17:25:53","post_date_gmt":"2020-05-21 17:25:53","post_content":"May 21, 2020<\/em>\r\nBy Rachel Searle<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has made human trafficking survivors and immigrant communities across the United States more vulnerable to abuse and violence. At Safe Horizon\u2019s Anti-Trafficking Program (ATP)<\/a>, we are growing increasingly worried about the direct, indirect, short, and long-term effects of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on these survivors. While our comprehensive team of attorneys and social workers are helping survivors access the resources and information they need during this difficult time, we need your help to bring awareness to this critical issue. Below are five ways COVID-19 (Coronavirus) impacts human trafficking survivors, and three things you can do to help trafficking survivors.<\/strong>\r\n1. Survivors are More Afraid of Traffickers<\/h2>\r\nWhile the city\u2019s \u201cStay at Home Order\u201d keeps many safe, it can endanger victims of human trafficking. Survivors who live in close quarters with their traffickers regularly report domestic violence and other abuse. Other survivors, like *Maria, say that staying home makes it easier for their former traffickers to retaliate. In the weeks leading up to the pandemic, Maria testified against her former trafficker in federal court, which also triggered her PTSD and depression. This sustained state of fear has caused Maria to experience physical illness and impacted the well-being of her children. She is concerned that if the traffickers retaliate, first responders will be too overwhelmed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases to help her.\r\n
2. Survivors are Afraid to Seek Out Help<\/h2>\r\nLong before the pandemic, human trafficking survivors and immigrant communities lived in a heightened state of fear due to the political climate and the rhetoric against them. Survivors hesitated in accessing support for fear that they would be reported to immigration authorities or prohibited from becoming permanent residents. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis has increased this fear. Survivors\u2019 reluctance to seek help from public systems increases their risk of enduring more abuse while quarantined with their traffickers or avoiding healthcare services entirely. For example, a survivor would not see a doctor or go to the hospital<\/a> because they worry the doctor would report them to authorities or it would be used against them.\r\n
3. Survivors Can\u2019t Find Information and Resources<\/h2>\r\nHuman trafficking survivors who do want to reach out for help, find it difficult to find information because crisis communications are often not inclusive of all languages, literacies, and abilities. With no way of learning<\/a> about protections against COVID-19 (Coronavirus), human trafficking survivors are at danger of self-isolating with few resources \u2013 which puts their lives at risk. One of our clients named *Nadia could not find information about COVID-19 in her language, and as a result, was cut off from information and supplies. With two children who are immunocompromised, she worried that leaving the house would infect them and came close to starvation. After speaking with one of our social workers, she learned of options for delivery and how to safely leave the house.\r\n
4. Survivors Become Economically Disadvantaged<\/h2>\r\nHuman trafficking survivors, who previously may have had a stable life, are now working at reduced hours or are being laid off due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). If they aren\u2019t working, survivors are on the verge of being unemployed and homeless, and therefore more susceptible to being trafficked again. Labor trafficking survivor *Bertha lost her job as a home health aide due to COVID-19 and has been receiving threats of eviction from her landlord ever since. Despite the ban on evictions in New York City, she fears that no one can stop her landlord from evicting her. This fear led her to borrow rent money from a friend \u2013 an action that increases risk of trafficking.\r\n
5. Survivors Face Additional Exploitation or Risk of Re-trafficking<\/h2>\r\nWith little economic means, trafficking survivors are at an increased risk of being re-trafficked. According to the International Organization for Migration\u2019s report on re-trafficking<\/a>, over half of the re-trafficked persons they interviewed described their economic status as poor or very poor. In addition, labor trafficking survivors can be further exploited because they don\u2019t know their rights. We created this handy graphic you can share so everyone knows their rights:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n
![\"Workers](\"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Workers-Rights-Infographic_Human-Trafficking-COVID-410x1024.png\")
<\/a>\r\n\r\nAll workers, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to be paid for the hours they work, paid at least minimum wage, protected by accommodations and safety measures, protected against discrimination, and paid for overtime if they are working more than 40 hours of work per week.\r\n\r\n \r\nThree Things You Can Do to Help Human Trafficking Survivors During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)<\/h2>\r\nWith no certainty of when the pandemic will end, these situations for human trafficking survivors and immigrant communities are likely to continue. Now, more than ever, we need to help each other \u2013 and the good news is, we can! Here are three ways you can help human trafficking survivors during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.\r\n
1. Donate to Organizations that Support Human Trafficking Survivors<\/h2>\r\nSafe Horizon\u2019s Anti-Trafficking Program is one of the largest direct service providers to victims of human trafficking on the east coast. We see survivors from over 80 countries through the most difficult times of their lives. If you can, please donate below or contribute to our Amazon Wishlist<\/a> which was created to provide specific items for our clients\u2019 current needs.\r\n\r\nDonate to Help Survivors<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n