Why You Should Attend
Domestic violence is a serious, pervasive, and complex issue that affects people from all walks of life. Immigrant survivors of domestic violence face unique challenges and barriers that require specialized knowledge and attention. You should attend this training if you would like to provide pro bono services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence. These survivors may require assistance with a constellation of related yet distinct legal issues, most commonly in the areas of family law, domestic violence, housing, and public benefits. While it may be difficult for a single attorney or legal service provider to provide all of these services, it is important to understand the comprehensive and holistic legal needs of an immigrant domestic violence survivor, and the intersectionality between these legal matters.

This day-long program will develop the practitioner's understanding of how to provide culturally and linguistically responsive services and guidance on how to issue spot various legal issues for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Experienced domestic violence advocates and legal practitioners in the areas of immigration, family law, public benefits, and housing will share their expertise by providing insight into issues that arise when working with immigrant clients, how these areas of law overlap to provide special protections and remedies to immigrants and domestic violence survivors, and how immigration status impacts the availability of safety net programs for housing, public benefits, and healthcare.

What You Will Learn
After completing this program, participants will be able to:

- Recognize cultural and linguistic issues to be aware of when working with immigrant clients generally, and the specific issues that arise in working specifically with immigrant survivors of domestic violence
- Describe what domestic violence is and how it impacts immigrant communities
- Identify what family law issues are implicated when working with immigrant survivors of domestic violence
- Identify what immigration legal remedies and benefits are available for immigrant domestic violence survivors, and recent immigration updates impacting immigrant domestic violence survivors
- Assess how immigration status can impact access to public benefits
- Explain special housing protections for immigrant domestic violence survivors in the Violence Against Women Act, Fair Housing laws, and other California laws

Who Should Attend
Legal aid, nonprofit, and private practitioners who work with and/or would like to provide pro bono legal services for domestic violence survivors and immigrant communities.

Special Feature(s): Scholarships are available to participate in this program. For more information and to apply please visit: https://learning.pli.edu/scholarship.

Program Level: Basic

Advanced Preparation: None

If you work for an IRC Section 501c3 organizations dedicated to providing direct pro bono representation, your organization may be eligible to receive a PLI Pro Bono Membership which provides free access to PLI programs. For more information please go to the following link: https://www.pli.edu/globalassets/pro-bono/pro-bono-application-march-2022.pdf