When the Violence Against Women Act was granted in 1994, it extended benefits to survivors nationwide, and made it easier than ever to report assaults and gain protections. But there is a group that depends on the benefits of the VAWA and needs to know they can rely on it now, more than ever. That is the immigrant community.

Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence who are members of the immigrant community struggle to fully understand their rights, obtain citizenship and gain independence free from their abusers. The VAWA changed that, and made immense progress forward to help immigrant victims thrive in their new independent lives. The VAWA makes sure that immigrant survivors can:

1. Self-petition: Immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are legally allowed to apply for citizenship on behalf of themselves and their children with no help or assistance from their spouse. The entire process is kept private to ensure the victim's safety. Immigrant women are the most vulnerable group to face Intimate Partner Violence. Making sure they are protected is critical.

2. U Visa temporary visas granted to immigrant domestic violence victims on the condition that victims help the government in investigating and prosecuting the crime. Victims also have the opportunity to apply for citizenship.

3. T Visa: Visas granted to protect immigrant victims of human trafficking

A caravan carrying at least 7,000 migrants from Central America is reportedly headed to the United States. Immigrants are fleeing from persecution, harassment and unimaginable threats. Our president has responded by calling the migrants bad people who are here to endanger the safety of our country, and even going so far as to insinuate the caravan was harboring terrorists. A real consequence of President Trump's rhetoric is immigrant victims choosing to live in fear over seeking the protections they are entitled to in order to escape their abuser. That is unacceptable.

To the contrary of President Trump's statements, these are real people who, when they arrive, are going to be in need of real help. Let's make sure that is something we demand our Senators provide.

Immigrants have rights. The VAWA has made sure of it. Call your Senators today and tell them that you want to make sure that immigrants can continue to count on the rights that they are guaranteed access to in the VAWA.

Call 202-224-3121 to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard, and transferred to your local senator's office.

If you need to look up who your representatives are, you can do so here.