![\"Safe](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nHomeland Security Secretary John Kelly announces creation of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement on April 26, 2017<\/em><\/p>\n The Trump administration announced on Wednesday the creation of an office staffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees to \u201chelp families that have been the victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.\u201d This new office will be called the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) and promises to keep victims informed of the immigration proceedings of their alleged suspect via a hotline.<\/p>\n In response to the creation of VOICE, Safe Horizon\u2019s Deputy CEO & Chief Program Officer, Liz Roberts, stated: \u201cAs available research shows, immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States. This action singles out undocumented people as perpetrators.\u00a0 It is not supported by the data, and it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about undocumented immigrants.<\/em>”<\/p>\n “Instead, we call on the administration to respond to the many still unmet needs of victims of crime and abuse across the nation by continuing to invest in federal offices such as the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Office on Violence against Women (OVW), which lead comprehensive, well-informed responses to these issues, providing support for all crime victims.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Safe Horizon provides a 24-hour hotline for victims of crime, including support for family members of homicide victims and victims of any type of crime in New York City. The toll free number for our Crime Victims Hotline is 866-689- HELP (4357)<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Safe Horizon responds to the Trump administration’s creation of the new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":4393,"alt_text":"Safe Horizon Denounces the Creation of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE)","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":918,"height":417,"file":"2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-150x150.jpg"},"medium":{"file":"Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-300x136.jpg","width":300,"height":136,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-300x136.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-768x349.jpg","width":768,"height":349,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE-768x349.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":4389,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Safe-Horizon-Denounces-the-Creation-of-Victims-of-Immigration-Crime-Engagement-VOICE.jpg"},"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2013],"tags":[539,537,541,535],"class_list":["post-4389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-statements-and-press-releases","tag-ice","tag-immigration-and-customs-enforcement","tag-victims-of-immigration-crime-engagement","tag-voice","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\nWhat is the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) ?<\/h2>\n
What is the Impact of VOICE for Undocumented People?<\/h2>\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"}],"title_font_size":"42","sub-headline_placement":false,"custom_scripts":false,"show_author_bio":false},"yoast_head":"\n