The ruling comes after a Guatemalan woman had entered the country illegally, stating the police in her homeland had not helped protect her from her abusive husband. After listening to her case, the U.S. Justice Department had agreed.
The decision now allows any immigrant who has been abused by a spouse or loved one can now seek safety in the United States, something that had been routinely denied. However, proving abuse can be a difficult process — the abuse victim still has to prove the government of their home country is either unable or unwilling to stop the abuse.
According to the Latino Network, about 20 to 25 percent of all Latinas will experience some sort of domestic violence in her lifetime. What’s even more troublesome is Latino women are less likely to report abuse to the authorities as compared to other ethnic or racial groups. That’s a scary number. Please know that there is help for domestic violence victims. You are not alone.
If you are being abused by a spouse or a loved one, there is help. Contact the local women’s shelter today, then call domestic violence attorney Anthony Carbone. We will help you get out of the bad situation and get you on your feet again. Contact us today for a free consultation.