The Department of Homeland Security allows 10,000 women a year, who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to come to the United States and live a violence free life. These U visas allow women victims and their closest relatives to come to America to escape from their perpetrators and come forward to testify against them. The visas allows women in to the country to work for four years. The problem that is being faced is that the 10,000 women cap has already been reached, and fast. This is the third year in a row this has happened and some worry that with this limit already hit, other victims will go unnoticed and this will discourage women from speaking and acting out against their attackers. A bill approved by the Senate in May called for this cap to be raised from 10,000 to 15,000 allowing more of an opportunity for these women survivors. However House Republicans pushed through measures that omit the Senate's U visas increase.
This U visas idea is a great way for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to feel freed of some of the worst violence. Giving these women and their families hope for a better life. The number 10,000 sounds like a lot but when hearing that this number is being reached before the year is over is frightening. It was a smart move in Senate to increase this number to 15,000 but a heart break when the increase was denied. Nearly one in four women are raped by the age of adulthood (http://www.oneinfo urusa.org/statistics.php). These women do not need to live with their attackers. These survivors need to know that justice was served and that's exactly what these U visas are helping to do. The increase for more U visas should be reevaluated because if there is something the United States can do to help these women then we need to take more action.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/opinion/special-visas-for-abused-women-hit-a-ceiling.html
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