Dear Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi,

 

On behalf of the undersigned faith leaders and faith-based organizations concerned about victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other forms of violence, we write to express our concerns about Title VIII of the House Judiciary Committee-approved version of H.R. 4970, legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which we understand the House of Representatives plans to vote on this week. 

 

Faith communities are on the front lines, identifying victims, providing refuge, referring victims and their families for services, and offering hope and healing. In times of crisis, victims often turn to faith leaders for support and moral guidance because they see places of worship as a sanctuary from the horrors they have experienced. Through our ministry with victims, we have learned that abusers often exploit a victim’s immigration status, leaving individuals extremely vulnerable and afraid to report the abuse to law enforcement, assist in the prosecution of crimes, and seek services. 

 

Congress created VAWA in 1994, and it has voted twice since then to reauthorize the law, each time with broad bipartisan support. However, we are deeply troubled by Title VIII of H.R. 4970. Sections 801, 802, and 806 would actually roll back protections in current law for battered non-citizens, making them more vulnerable and, in some cases, endangering their lives. We urge you to strike these provisions from the bill before the measure is brought before the full House of Representatives for a vote.

 

VAWA is an effective tool in combatting the devastating crimes of domestic violence and providing lifesaving programs and services. We urge Congress to preserve and improve protections for vulnerable immigrant victims.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard T. Foltin, Director of National and Legislative Affairs, American Jewish Committee

 

Rev. Larry Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA

 

Rev. Ronald J. Degges, President, Disciples Home Missions, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

 

Noel Castellanos, CEO, Christian Community Development Association

 

Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO, Church World Service

 

Wendy Tarr, Director, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice

 

Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston, Director, Disciples Justice Action Network

 

Alex Baumgarten, Director of Government Relations, The Episcopal Church

 

Luis Cortes, President, Esperanza

 

Alexia Salvatierra, Director of Justice Ministries, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

 

Patrick Carolan, Executive Director, Franciscan Action Network

 

Gideon Aronoff, President and CEO, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

 

Orlando Crespo, National Director, La Fe Multi-Ethnic Ministries, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

 

Janet Mock, CSJ, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious

 

Linda Hartke, President and CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

 

Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office

 

Salam Al-Marayati, President, Muslim Public Affairs Council

 

Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals

 

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President,  National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

 

Rev. Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition

 

Simone Campbell, Executive Director ,NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

 

Sr. Gayle Lwanga, National Coordinator, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

 

Jean Stokan, Director, Sisters of Mercy Institute Justice Team, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

 

Sr. Esther Anderson, OSF, President, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

 

Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners

 

Rev. Peter Morales, President, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

 

Jim Winkler, General Secretary, United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

 

Johnny Young, Executive Director, Migration and Refugee Services, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

 

Lynne Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church

 

Deborah Fikes, Executive Advisor, World Evangelical Alliance

 

Stephan Bauman, President and CEO, World Relief