In Houston, Harris County commissioners approved funding for a legal defense fund to support vulnerable immigrants and survivors of violence facing deportation. Guadalupe Fernandez, Tahirih Houston’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, is quoted:
Abusers use victims’ lack of immigration status as a tactic of abuse, maintaining power and control by reinforcing fears of deportation.
I came to the U.S. in the winter of 2006. Life back home in Mexico was tough for me and my family. I dreamt of going to college and graduating but with my family’s economic status, that dream was too costly and impossible.
At least I was able to graduate high school and that is something I am proud of since I was also working at the time to help my family. I was always looking for an opportunity to have a better life as a young woman.
“I hope my story is helpful to someone else…and can inspire many women to be stronger. We need to help young women identify toxic relationships, so that there are fewer Camilas that go through such difficult things, let alone have our children suffer.”
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