Tahirih Justice Center is becoming a national organization and will open their first pilot field office in Houston, Texas, in 2009.

An inspiring video about the courage of Tahirih’s clients is the recipient of a bronze Telly Award.

Jeanne Smoot, Director of Public Policy, received the 2008 Agent of Change Award from the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.

The congressional funding reflects a valuable commitment to immigrant women and girls fleeing violence and exhibits confidence in Tahirih as a distinguished advocate for the courageous women and girls.

The BIA’s decision in the Matter of A-T reveals a poor understanding of FGM and its consequences, as well as a flawed interpretation of refugee law, and poses a direct threat to the ability of Tahirih’s clients and others who have suffered FGM to receive protection in the United States.

Federal protections are intended to encourage non-citizen survivors of violent crimes to come forward and get help, but a push for local police to enforce immigration law could unravel the intent of the protections, which have been painstakingly elaborated over 15 years.

The U visa was created to aid law enforcement and protect victims of serious crimes under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000.