I-VAWA (legislation introduced in previous Congresses, but not yet reintroduced in this Congress), to address international violence against women and girls through US policy and foreign aid decisions.
S.744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act," all titles, provisions specifically relating to or impacting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or other gender-based violence including those eligible for protection under US asylum laws, the Violence Against Women Act, or the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. (see addendum page for further description)(continued from prior page)....
HR 2278, the "Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act," raising general concerns about unintended consequences of enforcement actions on immigrant survivors who could be barred from or otherwise prevented from accessing VAWA or other humanitarian immigration relief.
In addition, we advocated on related issues to those listed above re: to S.744 and HR 2278 with respect to other general immigration reform proposals.
Duration: January 1, 2008
to
September 30, 2013
General Issues: Foreign Relations , Immigration , Homeland Security , Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice , Budget/Appropriations
Spending: about $20,000 (But it's complicated. Here's why.)
It can be tricky to figure out how much an organization spent on a particular lobbying engagement. The law only requires lobbyists to report the amount they were paid for federal lobbying each quarter rounded to the nearest $10,000—and if it's less than $3,000 in a given quarter (or less than $13,000 for organizations with in-house lobbyists), they don't have to disclose it at all. Plus, some organizations include spending that doesn’t belong in the report—for instance, money spent lobbying state governments or other legal work.
Agencies lobbied since 2008: House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, White House Office,, Natl Security Council (NSC), President of the U.S.,, Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
Lobbyists
Lobbyists named here were listed on a filing related to this lobbying engagement. They may not be working on it now. Occasionally, a single lobbyist whose name is spelled two different ways on filings may be represented twice here.
Disclosures Filed
Once a lobbying engagement begins, the lobbyist or firm is required to file updates four times a year. Those updates sometimes change which lobbyists are involved or add new issues being discussed. When lobbyists stop working for a client, the firm is also supposed to file a report disclosing the end of the relationship.
3rd Quarter, 2013
Tahirih Justice Center in-house lobbying effort was terminated on Oct. 21, 2013
Original Filing: 300603032.xml
Lobbying Issues
I-VAWA (legislation introduced in previous Congresses, but not yet reintroduced in this Congress), to address international violence against women and girls through US policy and foreign aid decisions.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
S.744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act," all titles, provisions specifically relating to or impacting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or other gender-based violence including those eligible for protection under US asylum laws, the Violence Against Women Act, or the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. (see addendum page for further description)(continued from prior page)....
HR 2278, the "Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act," raising general concerns about unintended consequences of enforcement actions on immigrant survivors who could be barred from or otherwise prevented from accessing VAWA or other humanitarian immigration relief.
In addition, we advocated on related issues to those listed above re: to S.744 and HR 2278 with respect to other general immigration reform proposals.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
3rd Quarter, 2013
Tahirih Justice Center filed a lobbying registration on July 14, 2013 for in-house lobbying efforts, effective July 15, 2013.
Original Filing: 300572217.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Immigration reform legislation, particularly any provisions relating to or impacting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or gender-based violence seeking protections under US asylum laws, the Violence Against Women Act or the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Legislation such as "I-VAWA" impacting US policy and foreign aid decisions to address international violence against women and girls, early and forced marriage, etc. .
2nd Quarter, 2013
In Q2, Tahirih Justice Center had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 22, 2013.
Original Filing: 300582610.xml
Lobbying Issues
S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, all titles, provisions specifically relating to or impacting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or other gender-based violence including those eligible for protection under US asylum laws, the Violence Against Women Act, or the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. (See additional page for further description)Continued description of specific advocacy re: S.744:
Title I, provisions re:
*training for all border-deployed enforcement officers on how to identify and assist vulnerable populations such as victims of human trafficking and other crimes, and asylum-seekers
Title II, provisions re:
* work authorization for victims by 180 days after filing self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) if their applications are still pending at that time; clarifying access to public housing for qualified battered immigrants
* domestic violence-related eligibility criteria for "Registered Provisional Immigrant" (RPI) status
* victim notification of RPI waiver requests
* RPI status for dependent spouses subjected to battery or extreme cruelty
Title III, provisions re:
* the "U visa" for non-citizen victims of crimes who cooperate with law enforcement investigations and prosecutions
* work authorization for victims by 180 days after filing if their U and T visa applications are still pending at that time
* asylum reforms, especially the elimination of the one-year asylum filing deadline
* immigration enforcement actions at "sensitive locations"
* domestic violence-related grounds of inadmissibility
Title IV, provisions re:
* legal status-maintenance for non-immigrant spouses (of sponsoring spouses on certain work and education visas) subjected to battery or extreme cruelty
Advocacy also re: related amendments offered, including gender-based asylum reforms; improved and expanded protections under VAWA for immigrants subjected to battery or extreme cruelty; improved access for survivors to safety-net benefits; and other amendments impacting immigrant survivors.
In House of Representatives:
*HR 2278, the "Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act", raising general concerns about unintended consequences of enforcement actions on immigrant survivors who could be barred or otherwise prevented from accessing VAWA and other humanitarian immigration relief.
*Potential immigration reform proposals generally, advocating on related issues to those listed above re: S.744 and HR 2278.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
4th Quarter, 2008
Tahirih Justice Center in-house lobbying effort was terminated on April 17, 2009
Original Filing: 300154416.xml
Lobbying Issues
Contact House and Senate legislators and staff to urge full implementation/enforcement by federal agencies (Depts. of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of PL 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, IMBRA).
[See additional page for continued description of specific lobbying issues.]Conduct research, confer with colleague organizations, and conduct outreach to Senate offices re: possible legislation to confirm and clarify the availability of asylum for applicants fleeing gender-based persecution.
Sign-on to letters circulated by other organizations as follows:
To Congress in support of an immigration detention reform bill, the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act of 2008, H.R. 7255, introduced by Rep. Roybal-Allard (D-CA).
To Congress in opposition to legislative proposals that threaten access to essential public services for immigrants.
To the National Security Council, requesting the removal of remaining unfair obstacles to asylum due to so-called TRIG (terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds, formerly collectively called the material support bar).
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Participate in coalition meetings in support of the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA, S. 2279/H.R. 5927; Sponsors: Senators Biden and Lugar and Rep. Berman) and the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (H.R. 3175, Sponsor: Rep. Betty McCollum). Sign-on to letters in support and asking for the reintroduction of both bills in the 111th Congress.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
4th Quarter, 2008
In Q4, Tahirih Justice Center had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 21, 2009.
Original Filing: 300129478.xml
Lobbying Issues
Contact House and Senate legislators and staff to urge full implementation/enforcement by federal agencies (Depts. of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of PL 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, IMBRA).
[See additional page for continued description of specific lobbying issues.]Conduct research, confer with colleague organizations, and conduct outreach to Senate offices re: possible legislation to confirm and clarify the availability of asylum for applicants fleeing gender-based persecution.
Conduct research, confer with colleague organizations, and participate in meeting with members of immigration transition team for President-elect Obama on possible asylum system reforms.
Sign-on to letters circulated by other organizations as follows:
To Congress in support of an immigration detention reform bill, the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act of 2008, H.R. 7255, introduced by Rep. Roybal-Allard (D-CA).
To Congress in opposition to legislative proposals that threaten access to essential public services for immigrants.
To President-elect Obama urging the prioritization of comprehensive immigration reform.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Participate in coalition meetings in support of the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA, S. 2279/H.R. 5927; Sponsors: Senators Biden and Lugar and Rep. Berman) and the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (H.R. 3175, Sponsor: Rep. Betty McCollum). Sign-on to letters in support and asking for the reintroduction of both bills in the 111th Congress.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
3rd Quarter, 2008
In Q3, Tahirih Justice Center had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2008.
Original Filing: 300101307.xml
Lobbying Issues
Contact House and Senate legislators and staff to monitor and urge full implementation by federal agencies (Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of PL 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, IMBRA). Contact DHS (USCIS) re: aspects of implementation of same (preparation and distribution of information pamphlet for immigrating foreign fiance(e)s). [See additional page for continued description.]Conduct research and confer with colleague organizations re: possible legislation to confirm and clarify the availability of asylum for applicants fleeing gender-based persecution.
Circulate nationwide call for stories demonstrating the chilling effect on victims crime-reporting and help-seeking that is triggered by state and local enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, to support opposition in the future to federal and state proposals to increase local immigration enforcement.
Contact Senate offices in support of bill to recapture permanent resident visas that were authorized for distribution in previous years but were not, in fact, distributed, due to bureaucratic delays (H.R. 5882, Sponsor: Rep. Zoe Lofgren).
Sign-on to letters circulated by other organizations as follows:
To the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asking DHS to waive the fees for applicants for T- and U- visas and applicants for immigration relief under VAWA when they seek to obtain waivers of inadmissibility (I-192 and I-601)
To the Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) opposing ICEs shackling of pregnant women during labor and urging ICE to prohibit the practice in its written detention standards.
To the Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking HHS to take HIV off the list of diseases that can exclude immigrants from the United States
To the Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Organizations on the National Security Council, asking the Administration to fix the problems that remain in adjudicating cases barred by the material support ground of inadmissibility (some such problems were fixed by related provisions in P.L. 110-161 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Title VI, Sec. 691 (Division J Dept. of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2008, re: Relief for Iraqi, Hmong, Montagnards, and Other Refugees Who Do Not Pose A Threat to the United States).
To Congress opposing the expansion of the E-Verify program from its pilot phase, as proposed in the SAVE Act (HR 4088). Of concern to Tahirih: this employment verification system makes immigrant victims personal contact information and other data public, in violation of confidentiality provisions for such victims under federal law and placing them at risk.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Strategize with NGO colleagues and lobby House offices in support of the International Violence Against Women Act (S. 2279/H.R. 5927; Sponsors: Senators Biden and Lugar and Rep. Berman) and the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (H.R. 3175, Sponsor: Rep. Betty McCollum). Strategize with NGO colleagues re: promoting U.S. ratification of the UN Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
2nd Quarter, 2008
In Q2, Tahirih Justice Center had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 21, 2008.
Original Filing: 300078087.xml
Lobbying Issues
Contact House and Senate legislators and staff to monitor and urge full implementation by federal agencies (Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of PL 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, IMBRA). Conduct research to outline possible model state bill to complement and reinforce federal regulations of international marriage brokers. Conduct research and confer with House staff re: the problem of forced marriage among women residing in or immigrating to the United States. Conduct research, prepare advocacy and public education materials, confer with colleague organizations, and conduct outreach to House and Senate staff re: possible legislation to confirm and clarify the availability of asylum for applicants fleeing gender-based persecution. Urge Senate offices to sign-on to letter requesting that the Attorney General certify to himself for review a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (Matter of A-T-, September 27,2007) denying asylum to an applicant who had fled female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Circulate nationwide "call for stories" demonstrating the "chilling effect" on victims' crime-reporting and help-seeking that is triggered by state and local enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, to support future advocacy against federal and state proposals to increase local immigration enforcement.
Sign-on to letters circulated by other organizations as follows:
- To the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) re: DHS's failure to issue "adjustment of status" regulations for T- and U- visa-holders.
-To the Senate urging support for S. 3114, the "Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act" introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Attend coalition meeting in support of the International Violence Against Women Act ("I-VAWA," S.2279/H.R. 5927).
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
1st Quarter, 2008
In Q1, Tahirih Justice Center had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 18, 2008.
Original Filing: 300045775.xml
Lobbying Issues
Contact House legislators and staff to monitor and urge full implementation by federal agencies (Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of P.L. 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act). Contact Senate staff re: "material support" provisions of P.L. 110-161 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Title VI, Sec. 691 (Division J-Dept. of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2008, re: Relief for Iraqi, Hmong, Montagnards, and Text included on p.2:Contact House legislators and staff to monitor and urge full implementation by federal agencies (Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice) of PL 109-162, Title VIII, Subtitle D (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, IMBRA). Contact Senate legislative staff re: the material support provisions of P.L. 110-161 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Title VI, Sec. 691 (Division J Dept. of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2008, re: Relief for Iraqi, Hmong, Montagnards, and...
Additional text:...Other Refugees Who Do Not Pose A Threat to the United States). Sign-on to letter opposing HR 4088, the SAVE Act (issue of interest to Tahirih Justice Center is Sec. 301 re: state and local law enforcement support of federal immigration enforcement efforts). Discuss with House and Senate staff possible legislation to confirm and clarify the availability of asylum for applicants fleeing gender-based persecution.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Contact House and Senate legislators and staff re:specific appropriations for the Tahirih Justice Center in P.L. 110-161 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Division B- Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act of 2008, "Office of Justice Programs, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program"). Submit FY 09 appropriations requests under the same program to House and Senate legislators and staff.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Lobbying Issues
Prepare lobby materials and "action alerts" in support of the International Violence Against Women Act (S.2279).
Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate
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