CRIS provides immigration legal services to those with rights under the Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA).
The agency's program was established to increase awareness in the community of abused
immigrant women's rights under VAWA and to expand accessibility to the services that allow women
to exercise those rights and remain and work in the US.
Prior to enactment of VAWA legislation, if an abusive spouse whose wife's immigration status
depended on his citizenship or Permanent Resident status chose not to file a visa application for
her, the woman became ineligible to remain in the US. This dependence caused many women to
stay in abusive relationships in order to remain in the US and avoid permanent separation from their
children.
VAWA gives abused immigrant women who are married to citizens or Permanent Residents the right
to remain in the US and to apply for Employment Authorization without relying on the goodwill of
abusive spouses.
CRIS provides eligible women:
- immigration legal services necessary to apply for Employment Authorization
- immigration legal services necessary to apply for lawful status
- assistance in finding employment
- community outreach and information
Please contact Angie Plummer at aplummer@cris-ohio.com or 840-9634.