[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE WOMEN IMMIGRANTS SAFE HARBOR ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2001

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today we join the world community in the 
first observance of ``World Refugee Day.'' On this day we express 
solidarity and support for the world's refugees and recognize the 
contributions refugees make to their newly adopted countries. Against 
this backdrop, I am pleased to join with my colleagues Connie Morella, 
Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, and Nancy Pelosi in introducing the ``Women 
Immigrants' Safe Harbor Act (WISH).'' The WISH Act provides help to 
women and children who are focused to seek refuge not from an 
oppressive political regime, but from members of their own families. 
Victims of domestic violence, like victims of political oppression, are 
often forced to flee with little other than their children and the 
clothes on their backs. Battered immigrant women, who are often far 
from their families and have limited English skills, are particularly 
alone and vulnerable.
  Public benefits have long been a key avenue of escape from family 
violence. Victims of abuse are generally economically and socially 
isolated. Many of them believe they cannot leave their abusers because 
doing so will expose them and their children to economic hardship--in 
fact, a recent study found that more than two-thirds of battered 
immigrant women still trapped in abusive relationships said lack of 
money was the biggest obstacle to leaving. Programs like Medicaid, Food 
Stamps, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families help them care for 
their children until they can get back on their feet. These programs 
also expand the capacity of our nation's domestic violence shelters and 
safe houses by providing partial support to their residents.
  The economic hardship is compounded because many abuse victims are 
initially unable to work because they must remain in hiding from their 
abusers. Congress specifically recognized this barrier in the 1996 
welfare reform law, which provided states with a ``family violence 
option'' to exempt victims of domestic violence from work requirements. 
Somewhere between one-third and half of domestic abuse victims are 
harassed by their abusers while at work. For that reason, some of them 
have no choice but to avoid the workplace until the abuser is brought 
justice.
  The WISH Act would restore access to critical public programs for a 
vulnerable group of battered women, many of whom have U.S. citizen 
children. It would also remove the threat of deportation for those who 
sought help to protect themselves and their children. Passing the WISH 
Act would provide these women with a safe harbor from the violence that 
plagues their families and the kind of fresh start the United States 
has always offered to refugees of all kinds. I hope my colleagues will 
join me in celebrating ``World Refugee Day'' and in supporting an 
escape route for battered women.

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