Call Us MN: 24/7 confidential, bilingual crisis line (651) 772-1611
Abuse can look different for immigrants
Immigration status is often used as a tactic of abuse and may appear in some of these forms:
- Isolation: Preventing someone from learning English or communicating with friends, family, or others. Moving to places where transportation is not available.
- Threats: Threatening deportation or withdrawal of petitions for legal status.
- Intimidation: Destroying legal documents or papers needed in this country, such as passports, resident cards, health insurance, or driver’s licenses.
- Manipulation regarding citizenship or residency: Withdrawing or refusing to file immigration papers, threatening loss of legal status if abuse is reported.
- Economic abuse: Withholding documents to be able work, making false reports to employers regarding immigration status.
- Using children: Threatening to hurt children here or in their home country, threatening to send children away if the police are contacted.
There are forms of immigration relief available for those experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. If you are in Minnesota, call our confidential 24-hour bilingual Spanish/English crisis line at 651-772-1611 to speak with an advocate. For more information on immigrant rights, you can contact the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota or your state’s Department of Human Rights.
More immigrant rights resources
Disclaimer
This webpage was supported by private funds. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are ours and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of our funders.