Women & Documentation

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immigration is a feminist issue

Immigration is a feminist issue because it intersects with gender, race, and power dynamics, deeply affecting women and marginalized genders in unique and disproportionate ways. For many immigrant women, their experiences are shaped not only by their immigration status but also by sexism, racism, and often gender-based violence. These layers of oppression can make immigrant women especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, both in the workplace and in their personal lives.

Additionally, immigration policies often fail to protect women from gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. For instance, many immigrant women, especially those without legal status, fear reporting abuse to authorities due to the risk of deportation or separation from their families. Feminist perspectives advocate for immigrant women’s rights to safety, dignity, and autonomy, recognizing the need for immigration reform that considers these gendered vulnerabilities.

Feminists also focus on the ways in which immigration laws disproportionately impact women of color, transgender women, and low-income women, who may face additional barriers to accessing services, healthcare, and legal protections. Thus, immigration reform and feminist advocacy work hand-in-hand to ensure that immigrant women’s voices are heard and that their specific needs are addressed in policies and society at large.

statistics

• Abuse rates among immigrant women are as high as 49.8%, nearly three times the national average.

• At least 41% of surveyed Latinx individuals believe that the primary reason undocumented survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) don’t seek help is due to the fear that their immigration status will be exposed or exploited in the legal process.

• 14% of participants reported difficulties accessing IPV services because of immigration issues, with some being denied services for lacking proper identification.

• 65% of immigrant victims experience some form of immigration-related abuse.

• Among abusive spouses who could have filed immigration papers for their victims, 72.3% did not, and the 27.7% who did file experienced an average delay of 3.97 years.

Structural Gendered Racism as Conceptualized by Immigrant Women in the United States

Goleen Samari, Heather M. Wurtz, Tara F. Abularrage, Mienah Z. Sharif

This study explores how cisgender immigrant women in New York City experience and conceptualize the intersection of structural racism, sexism, and xenophobia, which the authors term “structural gendered racism.” The research reveals that these women face discrimination on multiple fronts: immigration status, gender, and race, which collectively shape their lives and well-being.

Key findings include:

1. Intersectionality of Discrimination: Immigrant women experience layered discrimination that intersects with gender, race, and immigration status. This intersectionality results in compounded disadvantages, exacerbated by a hostile anti-immigrant climate.
2. Pathways of Structural Gendered Racism: The study identifies several key areas where these women face systemic oppression:
   • Restrictive Immigration Policies: Exclusionary policies that marginalize immigrants and limit their access to legal rights and resources.
   • Disproportionate Immigration Enforcement: Immigrant women are more likely to be targeted by immigration enforcement practices, including detentions and deportations.
   • Economic Exploitation: They often work in low-wage, insecure jobs, where labor exploitation is compounded by both gendered and racial discrimination.
   • Gendered Interpersonal Racism: Immigrant women face racism and sexism in everyday interactions across various systems (e.g., healthcare, employment).
3. Power Dynamics: The experiences of structural gendered racism are deeply rooted in unequal power dynamics stemming from racialized migration systems and gendered societal structures, making immigrant women particularly vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.
4. Health Impacts: These intersecting forms of oppression have significant implications for immigrant women’s health and well-being. Many participants reported making decisions based on concerns for their safety, facing racism, and the precariousness of their immigration status. These stressors negatively impact their mental and physical health over time.
5. Need for Multilevel Solutions: The study calls for multilevel solutions, including policy reforms, social support systems, and cultural changes that consider the lived experiences of immigrant women to dismantle structural gendered racism and improve their quality of life.

In summary, this study highlights how structural gendered racism profoundly shapes the lives, health, and opportunities of immigrant women, emphasizing the importance of addressing these interconnected systems of oppression through policy and social change.

Resources

Violence against women act (VAWA) of 1994

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 provides critical protections for survivors of domestic violence, including undocumented women. One of its key provisions allows undocumented immigrant women who are victims of abuse to apply for legal status independently of their abusive spouse or family member. This provision, known as the VAWA self-petition, allows women to petition for a green card without needing the abuser’s cooperation, thus preventing further control or intimidation by the perpetrator.

VAWA also grants survivors access to certain services, including housing, legal aid, and support resources, without the fear of deportation. The law aims to empower undocumented women to escape abusive situations by ensuring their safety and legal rights, offering a pathway to secure permanent residency, and helping them rebuild their lives free from violence. This resource is vital for undocumented women who may otherwise feel trapped in abusive relationships due to their immigration status.

the national immigrant women’s advocacy project

The National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP, pronounced new-app) addresses the needs of immigrant women, immigrant children and immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes by advocating for reforms in law, policy and practice.

NIWAP is a national provider of training, legal and social science research, policy development, and technical assistance to advocates, attorneys, pro bono law firms, law schools, universities, law enforcement, prosecutors, social service and health care providers, justice system personnel, and other professionals who work with immigrant women, children and crime victims. Their work supports those in the field and in government who work to improve laws, regulations, policies, and practices to enhance legal options and opportunities for immigrant women and children.

special for immigrant women

This resource offers practical guidance to help immigrant women navigate barriers when seeking support, especially in situations involving abuse or crisis. It encourages women to ask for an interpreter to ensure they are fully understood and can communicate their needs clearly. It also advises leaving detailed phone messages when reaching out for help, which can improve the chances of getting a timely response.

Importantly, it reminds survivors not to give up if their first attempt to get help is unsuccessful—acknowledging that access to services can be inconsistent, but persistence is key. Overall, this resource empowers immigrant women with actionable steps to advocate for themselves and access critical support, even when facing language barriers or unresponsive systems.

women step forward

Women Step Forward is a vital online resource created through a collaboration between the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), the We Belong Together campaign, and the Immigration Advocates Network. Designed specifically with immigrant women in mind, this resource provides clear, accessible information about immigration law, workers’ rights, and legal support options.

The platform features content written by immigration experts and offers practical tools such as a legal service provider directory, up-to-date immigration news, and action items to stay engaged. With a focus on simplicity and empowerment, Women Step Forward serves as a comprehensive guide for immigrant women navigating the legal system, advocating for their rights, and connecting with trusted support networks.