FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed Houston’s support for immigrants and refugees and commitment to protecting immigrant survivors of crimes at a press conference on December 12
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner held a press conference today with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza in which he reiterated Houston’s commitment to being a welcoming city for immigrants and refugees. The Tahirih Justice Center applauds Mayor Turner for his remarks today in support of immigrants and refugees and for his recognition of the fundamental needs of Tahirih clients, many of whom are immigrant survivors of crimes in the Houston area. Mayor Turner and Chief Acevedo underscored the importance of ensuring that all victims and witnesses of crimes can come forward without fear of retaliation.
“Today Mayor Turner recognized the rights of immigrant survivors to have full and complete access to emergency services and police and court protections,” said Anne Chandler, Executive Director of Tahirih Justice Center Houston.
“Having access to these services and protections is critical for the women and girls we serve, who are survivors of crimes such as human trafficking, forced marriage, domestic violence, and other horrific forms of violence,” she said. Tahirih applauds the Mayor and local law enforcement officials for their commitment to protecting all those who are seeking justice under the law.
The Tahirih Justice Center is a member of the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, a collective of non-profit organizations that provide free and low-cost legal services to immigrants in the Houston region. The Collaborative’s mission is to create a coordinated network of effective and efficient services to assist low-income immigrants to access the information and legal representation that allows them to make choices in their own best interest. Follow the Collaborative at @HTXimmigration or at www.houstonimmigration.org.
Anne Chandler, Executive Director of Tahirih Justice Center Houston, is available for comment on this topic. Please contact [email protected] to arrange an interview.
