The White House is ramping up a new push for the president’s version of comprehensive immigration reform. In an opening salvo, White House advisor on Violence Against Women Lynn Rosenthal wrote a blog entry titled, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Survivors Can’t Afford to Wait,” saying that “it’s up to Republicans in the House to decide whether to move forward with immigration reform.” Ms. Rosenthal framed the argument in the context of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was last month:
Rosenthal goes on to say the federal law (Violence Against Women Act) already contains provisions to help immigrant victims of abuse, more needs to be done.
Rosenthal cites fear of deportation, potential homelessness, and economic dependence as reasons many immigrant women – documented or undocumented – do not seek help. She noted that the Senate had passed legislation already, and asserted that “[u]nlike many other issues in Washington, immigration reform is one that both parties can agree on.”
