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Promoting Justice 2004 & 2005 ANNUAL REPORT for Women & Girls

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“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly.” Bahá’í Writings

THE MISSION OF THE IS TO ENABLE WOMEN AND GIRLS FLEEING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE TO ACCESS JUSTICE. The Tahirih Justice Center is a nationally recognized Washington, DC area-based organization that enables women and girls fleeing gender-based violence to access justice in the through high-quality pro bono legal services and bridge- building public policy advocacy. Through its programs, the Tahirih Justice Center protects immigrant women and girls seeking justice in the United States from gender-based violence such as female genital cutting, , , trafficking, honor crimes, , and . Tahirih embraces a holistic approach, providing a range of medical and social service referrals in addition to the legal services provided by Tahirih’s staff and network of pro bono attorneys. Tahirih’s public policy advocacy is directly informed by client needs and is designed to create systemic change to ensure that immigrant women and girls receive long-term protection from violence.

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Dear Friends, INSIDE:

With your crucial support, the Tahirih Justice Center continues in its ninth year to ABOUT THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER ...... 2

provide life-saving legal protection for women and girls from around the world who OUR PROGRAMS ...... 6 are fleeing abuses. We vigilantly pursue legislative opportunities to protect the legal status of our clients and quickly mobilize on their behalf to ensure UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES TAHIRIH’S CLIENTS FACE ...... 8 their access to legal, social, and medical services. The past two years were banner years for the Tahirih Justice Center, and this report highlights some of our victories. WORKING IN CONGRESS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND GIRLS.18 Of particular note is the national prominence of our public policy advocacy efforts. TAHIRIH’S OUTREACH AND MEDIA...... 21 Through the persistent advocacy for, and ultimate passage of, the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, the Tahirih Justice Center found itself on the national WORKPLACE THAT EMBODIES stage and in media outlets such as Newsweek, NBC Nightly News, Fox News, and TAHIRIH’S VALUES...... 22 The Washington Post advocating for the protection of “mail-order brides.” Our TAHIRIH IS SUPPORTED BY AN non-partisan approach and unique perspectives rooted in the daily experiences of our ACTIVE BOARD ...... 23 clients have earned Tahirih credibility and trust among lawmakers and colleague TAHIRIH’S SPECIAL EVENTS AND BENEFITS....24 organizations. OUR 2004 & 2005 SUPPORTERS ...... 26 During 2004 and 2005 combined, Tahirih witnessed the stunning more than quadrupling TAHIRIH’S PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES ...... 28 of new cases as compared to 2003. We accomplished this not by hiring more attorneys, but by more than doubling our cadre of pro bono lawyers from prominent Washington, STAFF,BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DC firms and by bringing on additional paralegal and social worker support to increase BOARD OF ADVISORS, PERMANENT MEMBERS ...... INSIDE BACK COVER the efficiency of our legal team. As a result of these strategic efforts, we have dramatically increased the number of women and girls we protect. 2004 & 2005 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...... POCKET ENCLOSURES Finally, we have made institutional improvements that have increased staff productivity and job satisfaction. These changes include providing additional benefits for staff, making our workplace more family-friendly by supporting the efforts of parents to balance their work and family life, overhauling our technology infrastructure, upgrading computers, and increasing professional development opportunities. Through these efforts, Tahirih seeks to live its values and enable its staff to work in a supportive environment as they dedicate themselves to the women they serve. We hope that in these pages you will feel the impact of our progress and the urgent needs of our clients. There is so much to be done to increase Tahirih’s capacity to respond to the overwhelming numbers of requests for assistance we receive. With your continued support, we look to the future with great optimism and hope for our increased capacity to provide justice for the women and girls we serve.

Warm regards,

LAYLI MILLER-MURO LESLIE NICKEL Executive Director Board Chair

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BOUT She would discuss theology A from behind a black curtain THE TAHIRIH with top Mullahs from USTICE throughout Persia who J would come to hear her CENTER views. She defied social mores and distinguished herself as a renowned poet TAHIRIH and religious scholar. Tahirih (Tah-heh-ray) is A revered heroine in the a renowned figure in Bahá’í Faith, Tahirih was Middle Eastern one of the first disciples of history—an exemplar The Bab, who foretold the of women’s strength in coming of Baha’u’llah, the mid-19th century Persia The Conference of Badasht, depicting Tahirih, prophet founder of the by Ivan Lloyd. during a time and place Bahá’í Faith. Tahirih became when most women the first woman in recorded were kept illiterate and hidden from the Middle Eastern history to discard her veil public sphere. The daughter of a Mullah, in public, proclaiming the dawn of a new Tahirih was a child prodigy and by the age as she did so. Her unveiling in front of age of 13 had memorized the Quran. an assemblage of men gathered at a conference to discuss the Bahá’í Faith’s independence from Islam symbolized a dramatic departure from traditions of the past and unambiguously affirmed the Bahá’í principle of the equality of men and women. The conference where her unveiling took place, in 1848, was held just two weeks before another momentous event in women’s rights history—the Seneca Falls Conference in New York, considered the birth of the women’s rights movement in the United States. Tahirih was executed for her beliefs at the age of 34. As the hour of her death approached, “The appearance of such a woman as she turned to her executioner and declared, “You can kill me as soon as you Tahirih in any country and in any age is a like, but you cannot stop the emancipation rare phenomenon, but in such a country as of women.” it is a prodigy—nay, almost a miracle. Alike in virtue of her marvelous beauty, her rare intellectual gifts, her fervid eloquence, her fearless devotion, and her glorious martyrdom, she stands incomparable and immortal amidst her countrywomen.” Professor E.G. Browne, Cambridge University, 1927

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SAVING THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CLIENT DISTRIBUTION Since opening its doors in 1997, through 2004 2005 direct services and referrals, Tahirih has assisted more than 4,500 women and NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA children. Tahirih’s clients are fleeing abuses 4% 2% such as female genital cutting, torture, EUROPE SUB- EUROPE SUB- rape, trafficking, honor crimes, widow MIDDLE 16% SAHARAN MIDDLE 11% SAHARAN rituals, forced marriage, and domestic EAST AFRICA EAST AFRICA violence. In 2004 and 2005, respectively, AND 44% AND 32% Tahirih served 978 and 1,074 women and NORTH NORTH children, which was more each year than AFRICA AFRICA 18% 16% CENTRAL & the year before. Even as we handle an unprecedented number of cases, Tahirih 29% ASIA ASIA continues to maintain a 98 percent 9% 10% success record and has never had a client CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA deported. 9%

2004 & 2005 Countries of Origin of Tahirih Justice Center Clients

SUB-SAHARAN ASIA GUATEMALA MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA CHINA GUYANA NORTH AFRICA ALGERIA BANGLADESH HONDURAS AFGHANISTAN CAMEROON PAKISTAN PANAMA CONGO PERU IRAN COTE D’IVOIRE INDONESIA ST.KITTS AND NEVIS JAPAN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LEBANON MONGOLIA MOROCCO GABON PHILIPPINES EUROPE SYRIA GAMBIA PAKISTAN ARMENIA TUNISIA GHANA SOUTH KOREA BOSNIA & TURKEY GUINEA HERZEGOVINA YEMEN KENYA CENTRAL and FRANCE MALI SOUTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA NIGERIA ARGENTINA POLAND MEXICO BARBADOS RUSSIA SIERRA LEONE BOLIVIA SERBIA BRAZIL SPAIN SOUTH AFRICA COLOMBIA SWEDEN COSTA RICA UKRAINE TANZANIA ECUADOR TOGO EL SALVADOR UGANDA ZAMBIA

ABOUT THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER

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HISTORY AN UNUSUAL APPROACH— Layli Miller-Muro founded the Tahirih BALANCING HOLISTIC DIRECT Justice Center in 1997, following a well- SERVICES AND PUBLIC POLICY publicized asylum case in which she was ADVOCACY involved as a student attorney at American University. The case was that of Fauziya While many organizations focus on either Kassindja, a 17-year-old girl who fled Togo direct services or public policy advocacy, in fear of a forced polygamous marriage Tahirih is an organization that unusually and a tribal practice known as female engages in both, providing a critical bridge genital cutting. After arriving in the United between grassroots and advocacy States and spending more than 17 months organizations. In fact, according to a in detention, Ms. Kassindja was granted survey conducted by the Tahirih Justice asylum on appeal. Her case made legal Center in 2005, it is the only direct legal history and established national services organization in the Washington, precedent, enabling women to DC area with registered lobbyists on staff. receive asylum on the basis of Through an annual strategic planning process, Tahirih regularly assesses the Layli Miller-Muro gender-based persecution. Ms. and Fauziya Miller-Muro’s portion of the needs of its clients and designs its public Kassindja. proceeds from the book she co- policy advocacy around their most authored with Ms. Kassindja, Do pressing concerns. Tahirih’s intimate They Hear You When You Cry? understanding of the abuse suffered by (Delacorte Press, 1998), was used immigrant women who use our direct to create the Tahirih Justice Center. legal services provides unique insights that enable the design and execution of effective campaigns for systemic change. Through partnerships with prominent national organizations and participation in numerous national and regional coalitions, Tahirih raises the voices of immigrant women and girls and brings a critical grassroots perspective to advocacy.

TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER PROGRAMS: A HOLISTIC APPROACH

LEGAL REPRESENTATION

HOLISTIC PUBLIC POLICY SERVICES ADVOCACY

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

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TERESA’S STORY: A photograph HELP TAHIRIH PROTECT WOMEN of Teresa taken shortly before BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE she died. Thirty years ago, a World Bank official brought Teresa to the United States to work as a nanny and housekeeper for his family. Although she entered the country as a legal immigrant and expected to work for pay in a supportive home, she never received a penny. She was mistreated and not allowed to learn to read or write. Eventually, her visa expired and she was forced to remain an undocumented immigrant, in servitude, for nearly three decades. The US government estimates that 14,500- 17,500 people are trafficked into the United In January 2005, Teresa was violently States each year. The majority of these strangled by her captor. The family’s victims are women and children, many of daughter and her friend, Sabina, who both whom may be enslaved in households that thought of Teresa as a surrogate mother, appear completely normal to neighbors and removed her from the house and provided friends. We have the means to liberate her with shelter. Having gone without women like Teresa and bring their captors medical care for decades, Teresa soon to justice. But first, we have to let them suffered a stroke and was rushed to the know that there is a way out. hospital. Because she was undocumented and had no health insurance, the hospital Teresa’s story moved the Tahirih Justice had no legal obligation to help her beyond Center and Teresa’s supporters to start a emergency room assistance. Even so, it fund in her name. The Teresa Fund will kept her in its care for six months. To enable women facing violence, who minimize the amount of staff help required believe they have no way out, to get the to change her bed pan, Teresa was legal help to which they are entitled and catheterized. This caused repeated urinary gain freedom. Please enable us to help tract infections, which resulted in a fatal women before it is too late through your kidney infection. Teresa died on July 21, support of The Teresa Fund. 2005—just days before Tahirih staff were scheduled to perform an intake interview in her hospital room. “Teresa is the kindest, most loving Because Teresa was a victim of human person I have ever known; she loved me trafficking, she may have been eligible for a visa that would have entitled her to as if I were her own. Her abusive medical benefits. Tahirih could have protected her but by the time we became treatment as a virtual slave could have aware of her case, it was too late. been averted if I had known there was help available for her. We came so close to freeing her and saving her life. I failed my Teresa and I will carry that pain with me always. We all failed.” —Sabina

ABOUT THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER

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UR ROGRAMS social worker was brought on Tahirih’s O P staff. She works with social service, mental health, and medical providers to DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES serve women and girls fleeing violence. While maintaining a corps of physicians Tahirih provides immigrant women and girls who have agreed to provide free medical with expert pro bono legal assistance to services to our clients, Tahirih advocates ensure that they receive access to the legal on behalf of those clients to receive the protection to which they are entitled under best medical care possible regardless of US law. Tahirih’s direct legal services, their legal status or ability to pay. provided both in-house and by outside pro TYPES OF CASES LITIGATED bono attorneys, embrace a holistic approach, offering a range of social and medical service PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES referrals. 2004 Tahirih is an emerging leader in national public policy debates, engaging in advocacy GENDER-BASED ASYLUM on behalf of immigrant women that is direct- ASYLUM AND VIOLENCE Tahirih provides pro bono legal represen- ly informed by the experiences of its clients. WITHHOLDING AGAINST tation to women and girls fleeing gender- Tahirih’s public policy advocacy seeks to OF REMOVAL WOMEN based violence in immigration and federal transform policies, develop regulations, and 35% ACT courts. Since 1996, gender-based asylum set precedent to ensure the long-term pro- 55% law has slowly developed to provide tection of women from violence. Tahirih is greater protections for women and girls positioned as a non-partisan organization fleeing gender-based violence. Tahirih TRAFFICKING that has a strong track record of working seeks to improve protections available by VISA with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, NON-CITIZEN VICTIM 4% applying asylum laws, engaging in public conservative and liberal organizations, reli- OF CRIME VISA policy advocacy, and litigating pioneering gious and secular supporters, as well as local 6% cases in an area of law that is constantly and national like-minded partners. In addi- evolving. tion to building alliances on all sides of the political spectrum, Tahirih has developed pri- 2005 BATTERED IMMIGRANT WOMEN PROJECT vate partnerships with corporate pro bono Tahirih provides pro bono legal lobbyists eager to work on behalf of immi- representation to immigrant women grant women. Tahirih has taken leadership ASYLUM AND VIOLENCE seeking to access their right to permanent roles in two initiatives by actively engaging WITHHOLDING AGAINST residence under the Violence Against in several advocacy efforts including the pro- OF REMOVAL WOMEN Women Act so that they are not forced to tection of asylum-seekers, the promotion of 35% ACT 50% choose between deportation and due process rights for immigrants, and the remaining in an abusive relationship. solidification of domestic violence as grounds for asylum. TRAFFICKING PROTECTION FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING VISA AND OTHER CRIMES CAMPAIGN TO END EXPLOITATION BY NON-CITIZEN VICTIM 3% NTERNATIONAL ARRIAGE ROKERS OF CRIME VISA Pioneering the use of the newly created I M B 12% T and U visas, Tahirih provides pro bono In recent years, the international marriage legal representation for immigrant broker (IMB) industry has exploded in women and girls who have been response to a demand by some American trafficked to the United States or are men for “traditional” wives from victims of other violent crimes. countries such as the Philippines, Russia, and Ukraine. Increasingly, the business SOCIAL AND MEDICAL SERVICE REFERRALS model and marketing practices of many of For most of Tahirih’s clients, addressing these agencies are attracting predators, their emergent legal needs is only the and a growing number of women are beginning. In order to help them truly find paired with abusive men. Unfamiliar with justice, Tahirih helps clients access the English language and the US legal desperately needed social and medical system, given little information about services. For the first time in Tahirih’s their prospective husbands, and misled or history, in the summer of 2005, a full-time not told about their rights by agencies

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wanting to preserve their profitable matchmaking track records, many women are left in dangerously violent Layli Miller- relationships. The Campaign advocates for Muro meeting the accountability of these agencies, seeks with the South African Human legislative change, and engages in Rights litigation and public outreach to protect Commission. women from abuse.

INITIATIVE TO ENSURE POLICE PROTECTION FOR IMMIGRANTS Tahirih’s Executive Director, to be a In response to legislative efforts to compel keynote speaker at the Living and state and local police to enforce federal Learning Human Rights Conference in immigration law, Tahirih works on a Auckland in July 2004. The conference, a national level to advocate on behalf of joint initiative of the Human Rights abused immigrant women to ensure their Commission and the New Zealand ability to obtain police protection without National Commission for UNESCO, hosted fear of being deported or placed in over 300 participants from 37 countries detention. On a local level, Tahirih works and was aimed at strengthening human to organize and build bridges between rights education in New Zealand and the immigrants’ rights groups and local police Pacific. Layli also gave presentations to departments to raise awareness about the the Human Rights Commission, the Office importance of preserving access to police of Women’s Affairs, and the New Zealand protection for immigrant women who are Human Rights Network. She was victims of domestic violence, trafficking, interviewed on national New Zealand television on the “Breakfast Show” and and other violent crimes. Melysa Sperber meeting with Franca Ukpai-Ama, on New Zealand Public Radio. a Tahirih client. Layli traveled to South Africa and INTERNATIONAL NGO Botswana in November 2005 to conduct Tahirih has been extremely CAPACITY BUILDING public speeches and media interviews, fortunate to work with pro bono and meet with nongovernmental Building on its public policy advocacy success lobbyists and media specialists in the United States, the Tahirih Justice Center organizations to promote the legal status who have dedicated hundreds of serves as a resource for women’s rights of women. Meetings were held with key organizations internationally and conducts legal advocates in South Africa, including hours to support our work. We trainings to support building their capacity to Albie Sachs, a judge on the South African would particularly like to thank: advocate in the media, through the courts, and Constitutional Court (the highest court in • Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & through legislation. Tahirih has worked with South Africa) and the South African local NGOs in Kuwait, Brazil, Ghana, Gambia, Human Rights Commission. In Botswana, Feld LLP Layli met with more than 13 NGOs to Botswana, South Africa, New Zealand, • Altria Group, Inc. Australia, and Russia. In 2004 and 2005: share ideas and strategies. She also met with Botswana’s first female Chief, who • Arnold & Porter LLP Tahirih’s former Director of Legal Services, was formerly the head of the House of • Cassidy & Associates Lisa Johnson-Firth, in collaboration with Chiefs (which operates alongside the Elena Mashkova, Director of Femina, a national parliament), with whom she • Chevron leading Russian women’s rights explored opportunities for traditional • Mike Mihalke organization, led part of a three-day leaders to advance the status of women. training titled “Toward Gender Equality” in • Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & the Tatarstan Republic of the Russian Walker LLP Federation. The training, held in April 2004, was designed to educate female NGO • Prism Public Affairs leaders about strategies for preventing Jeanne • Quinn Gillespie & violence among women and girls. Smoot at IMBRA Associates LLC Reception. The New Zealand Human Rights • Van Scoyoc Associates Commission and the New Zealand Bahá’í Community invited Layli Miller-Muro,

OUR PROGRAMS

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NDERSTANDING THE that is hard to navigate in the best of U circumstances. Tahirih’s clients often do CHALLENGES TAHIRIH’S not speak English, have little LIENTS ACE understanding of US culture, and are C F frequently fearful of law enforcement. Without Tahirih’s expertise and experience, WOMEN SEEKING REFUGE our clients would have little hope of successfully navigating the court system. FROM VIOLENCE Gender-based asylum, which emerged in 1996 and has since been debated and FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC) tested in courts within the US Department Still practiced as a rite of passage in many of Justice and by the Department of African countries because it is viewed as a Homeland Security, enables Tahirih to help cultural tradition and is thought to control women who face human rights violations women’s sexual desires, female genital in their home countries based on their cutting involves the complete or partial gender. Many of Tahirih’s clients are trying removal of the external genitalia. An to escape these brutalities and come to estimated 130 million women today have the United States seeking justice and undergone FGC, and an additional two protection. million girls and women are being 1 While some protections exist for women subjected to it each year. Among its many fleeing human rights abuses, immigration harmful effects on a woman’s body, law is a field that is quickly changing and women who have undergone FGC evolving, with decisions being frequently experience a 50 percent greater likelihood made and reversed depending on who is that they or their baby will die during 2 reviewing a case. Both attorneys and childbirth. clients face a complex and fluid system

The appropriate term for female genital cutting has been in debate among human rights activists and academicians for many years. During the 1990s “female genital mutilation” or “FGM” was prevalent and used in most international legal documents. The practice has also been referred to as “female circumcision.” In recent years, “female genital cutting” or “FGC” has gained prevalence and is the term used in this report. The Tahirih Justice Center does not take an official position on what term is most appropriate. Regardless of the term used, the practice is widespread and has severe health consequences for women and girls throughout the world. FGC is often forced on very young girls and is frequently performed under unsanitary conditions and with no anesthesia. According to the World Health Organization, there are four different types of female genital cutting being practiced: Type I • excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the ; Type II • excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the ; Type III • excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (); and Type IV • pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the (gishiri cuts); introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or for the purpose of tightening or narrowing it; and any other procedure that falls under the definition given above.

1 Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, Fact Sheet No. 23, 27 July 2006. 2 Eke N. and Nkanginieme K., “Female Genital Mutilation and Obstetric Outcome,” The Lancet 367, no. 9525 (3 June 2006): 1799- 1800.

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Franca’s Story Franca fled Nigeria in March 2005 following months of persecution by her husband’s family. They blamed her youngest daughter’s dwarfism on Franca’s refusal to allow her two daughters to undergo female genital cutting. Franca’s husband’s family demanded that Franca relinquish her youngest daughter for a spiritual cleansing ritual that would involve burying her up to her neck, whipping her legs with a cane, and cutting her genitals. They also demanded that Franca’s older daughter be forced to undergo female genital cutting. Franca The governments of many African refused to submit to these horrific demands. countries have outlawed the While Franca was futilely seeking practice of female genital cutting, protection from the government, some of recognizing its forced nature and her husband’s family members began danger to the health and well- stalking her. They appeared unannounced being of women and girls. at her home saying they intended to take However, it is still often practiced her children by force. Franca fled her home in the name of tradition and and stayed with various friends in Lagos. custom. Both laws and their She pulled her children out of school. Still enforcement vary widely Franca could not find the support she throughout Africa; even though needed. Local NGOs advised her to leave many countries recognize FGC as the country. Franca, a successful banker, a problem, few real steps have liquidated all her possessions and been taken to eradicate it and its purchased plane tickets to the United illegality only has a minimal States. She came to Tahirih just days after effect. The following African arriving in the United States, where she countries have passed legislation was living in a half-finished condo in directly outlawing FGC: Maryland with no heat, furniture, or BENIN ETHIOPIA appliances. BURKINA FASO GHANA CENTRAL AFRICAN GUINEA Tahirih succeeded in getting Franca and REPUBLIC KENYA CHAD NIGER her children into a homeless shelter in COTE D’IVOIRE SENEGAL Alexandria, Virginia. Tahirih placed her TANZANIA EGYPT TOGO case with Crowell & Moring pro bono attorney Heidi Steiber (now at Mayer This list was compiled from the US State Brown Rowe and Maw LLP), whose Department’s 2001 Report on Female commitment, dedication, and expertise led Genital Mutilation: “Prevalence of the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation to a wonderful conclusion. Franca and her (FGM); Laws Prohibiting FGM and their son and two daughters were granted Enforcement; Recommendations on how Best to Eliminate FGM” and “Female asylum on August 30, 2005. Genital Mutilation (FGM): Legal Prohibitions Worldwide Factsheet,” Center for Reproductive Rights, February, 2005.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES TAHIRIH’S CLIENTS FACE

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TORTURE AND RAPE , rape, and torture are often Marie’s Story used to oppress, dominate, and punish Marie*, an 11-year-old immigrant girl from women and girls worldwide. One out of Mexico, came home one day to find her every three women around the world has mother lying in a pool of blood, been beaten, coerced into sex, or unconscious on the floor. She had been 3 otherwise abused in her lifetime. Rape is severely beaten by her husband, Marie‘s increasingly a weapon of war. In Rwanda stepfather. Although Marie’s mother had alone, half a million women were raped during the 1994 genocide.4 Although rape been repeatedly abused by her husband, is a crime in almost every country, many this time it was more severe than ever go unreported because of the before. Marie called 911. The police and victim’s embarrassment or fear of trauma team air-lifted Marie’s mother, who retribution for naming her assailants. had sustained a serious head injury, to the In South Africa, a woman is raped every hospital. The police arrested Marie’s 83 seconds—only one in 20 of these stepfather and held him in jail for a month. 5 cases, however, is reported to the police. Upon his release, Marie’s stepfather was Other forms of torture are inflicted on outraged that she had called for help. In women and girls around the world. In India, for example, 40 percent of women revenge, he raped Marie and she became are physically abused by their partners. Of pregnant. Tahirih is now handling the case these, 50 percent report violence during of both Marie and her mother. Upon her pregnancy.6 Also in India, 15,000 women mother’s release from the hospital, Marie are killed each year in “kitchen fires” and her mother had nowhere safe to stay. designed to look like accidents.8 Tahirih and her advocate succeeded in arranging emergency housing for mother and daughter at a secure women’s shelter far from Marie’s stepfather. Tahirih placed the cases of Marie and her mother with Crowell & Moring pro bono attorney Traci Patterson. Through her expert representa- tion, Marie and her mother’s petition was approved on November 17, 2005. At 12 years old, Marie gave birth to a baby girl, whom she is raising.

3 Lori Heise, Mary Ellsberg, and Megan Gottemoeller, “Ending ,” Population Reports Series L, No. 11 (, MD: Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Population Information Program, December 1999). 4 Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Women in an Insecure World: Violence Against Women – Facts, Figures, and Analysis, ed. Marie Vlachova and Lia Biason (Geneva, Switzerland, 2005). 5 UNIFEM, “Enhancing Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Populations Affected by Armed Conflict” (workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, January, 2005). 6 International Center for Research on Women, Domestic Violence in India: A Summary Report of a Multi-Site Household Survey (Washington, DC, 2003). 7 Partha Baneriee, “A Matter of Extreme Cruelty: and Dowry Deaths in India,” Injustice Studies 1, no. 1 (November 1997). 8 Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Women in an Insecure World: Violence Against Women – Facts, Figures, and Analysis, ed. Marie Vlachova and Lia Biason (Geneva, Switzerland, 2005).

*Name changed to protect privacy

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HONOR CRIMES Under pressure from her husband, Khalida eventually stopped working, hoping that Worldwide, 5,000 women die as a result of honor crimes each year.9 In Pakistan alone, her being at home would calm him down. more than 1,000 women are killed Even after she left her job and gave birth annually in the name of honor.10 In many to two children, Khalida’s husband other cultures, women suspected of having continued to abuse her. He was angry that premarital sex, rape victims, and women she had given birth to daughters instead of accused of adultery are murdered by their sons. Her husband threatened Khalida with male relatives because the violation of a woman’s chastity is seen an offense the guns he kept in the house illegally. against her family’s honor. In Jordan and After years of trying to escape, Khalida Lebanon, for example, 70 to 75 percent of finally fled to the United States with the the perpetrators of honor killings are the women’s brothers.11 help of her brothers who were already here. Tahirih’s Director of Legal Services, Colleen Renk Zengotitabengoa, successfully Khalida’s Story represented Khalida’s case. Tahirih filed Khalida*, a native of Pakistan, married her Khalida’s asylum case on October 19, 2003, husband Asad* through an arrangement based on fear of persecution from Asad made by their families. Khalida finished her and his family following the . medical school studies prior to the Khalida was granted asylum in 2003 and wedding and began her residency a month was able to keep both her daughters with after she was married. Her husband was her. To this day, her husband and his family abusive and jealous from the very do not accept the end of the marriage and beginning. Khalida’s movement was threaten to hurt Khalida if she returns to restricted and she had to be accompanied Pakistan. wherever she went, including work. While Khalida worked at the hospital, her mother-in-law and her husband criticized her for neglecting what they said were her duties of cooking and cleaning. When Khalida had to stay at the hospital for 24-hour emergency duty, her husband told her she was a whore and that she attended school to attract men, thereby dishonoring the family. Khalida’s husband raped her repeatedly, including once during Ramadan when Muslims are supposed to abstain from sex while fasting. When Khalida miscarried her first pregnancy, her husband slapped her and blamed her work at the hospital.

9 UN Population Fund, Lives Together, Worlds Apart (2000): 33. 10 Radhika Coomerasamy, Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence Against Women, Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences: Cultural Practices in the Family that are Violent Towards Women, E/CN.4/2002/93 (31 January 2002): 12. 11 UNIFEM, “Not a Minute More: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Facts and Figures” (October 2004): 2.

*Name changed to protect privacy UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES TAHIRIH’S CLIENTS FACE

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FORCED MARRIAGE When Fanta and Saran appealed to the authorities, police said it was a family All over the world, women and girls are forced to marry against their will. problem and berated them for going Worldwide, 82 million girls, mostly from against local customs. poor families, will marry before their 18th Fanta could not step aside and let her birthday and face a higher probability of becoming infected with HIV than their daughter endure the same suffering she unmarried peers.12 Early marriage creates did, although her efforts to protect her health risks, because of premature sexual daughter provoked death threats from activity and exposure to HIV/AIDS, and community members who felt she was limits young women’s opportunities to acting improperly. Fanta’s last chance to pursue education. Women who try to protect her daughters was to leave the escape such a marriage may be ostracized, imprisoned, beaten, or killed by their male country, so she sold all her possessions and relatives. fled to the United States. Once Fanta and her daughters arrived in the United States, staff and volunteers at Fanta’s Story the Tahirih Justice Center worked with As a young woman in Guinea, Fanta* was Fanta to prepare an asylum application. abused and scarred by female genital The case moved through the courts with cutting. This painful ritual was required frustrating delays over two years, during before she could be married. After which Fanta and her daughters feared they enduring this disfigurement, Fanta was would be sent back to Guinea. Summer forced by her family to marry an older man legal intern Lauren Celello prepared a brief who was already married. Fanta finally under the supervision of Staff Attorney found a measure of peace in raising her Melysa Sperber, and Director of Legal children. Then her husband decided that Services Colleen Renk Zengotitabengoa their oldest daughter, Saran*, had to advocated for Fanta in court. On July 14, endure the same genital cutting and be 2005, Fanta and her daughters were married. Fanta pleaded with him and granted asylum in the United States. managed to postpone the marriage until Saran completed high school, but could not make her husband put it off any longer. Saran’s father accepted a dowry for Saran from a man who already had three wives and demanded that she consent to the marriage. He threatened to kill his wife if she interfered anymore. Saran, like her mother, tried to prevent the genital cutting ritual and forced wedding. Family members ruthlessly beat her for her opposition. Saran suffered a broken leg, a dislocated knee, and a deep head wound.

12 UNFPA, “Investments in Adolescents’ Reproductive Health is Critical to Fighting Poverty and HIV/AIDS, Says UNFPA Report,” Press Release, 8 October 2003.

*Name changed to protect privacy

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WIDOW RITUALS Armand threatened to kill Sandrine and her children if she did not marry him. A few days Millions of widows of all ages around the world endure extreme poverty, ostracism, after the funeral, his family placed a snake in violence, homelessness, poor health, and her house and threw eggs on her car. discrimination. No inheritance or land Sandrine left her home and took her rights, physical abuse, and humiliating and children to her aunt’s home. Armand’s family life-threatening mourning and burial began watching her to ensure she would not rituals are some of the human rights leave with her husband’s money. violations justified by some traditions. Examples of rites that a widow may be Sandrine fled Cameroon and came to the forced to endure include sitting with her United States with a tourist visa, issued for a husband’s body until he is buried and vacation she had planned with her husband drinking the water used to cleanse the body, surrendering all rights to her before he died. Her children remained in husband’s property to his family, being hiding in Cameroon under continued threat taken as a wife by her husband’s brother from Armand’s family. (who may have other wives), and being forced to have unprotected sex with a Through the dedication and expertise of her social outcast to cleanse the widow of her pro bono attorneys, John Clark of husband’s spirit. Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, LLP (formerly with Perkins Coie, LLP) and Betsy Tao of Clifford Chance, LLP (formerly with Sandrine’s Story Perkins Coie, LLP), Sandrine was granted Sandrine* and her husband, Patrice*, lived asylum on August 28, 2004. But their efforts in a village in Cameroon. The couple was did not stop there. Clark and Tao filed a wealthy and Patrice’s family relied on them petition to expedite Sandrine’s derivative for financial support. Sandrine and her asylum application for her youngest husband considered each other equals in daughter who was most vulnerable to marriage and therefore she had joint Armand’s family. That petition to expedite ownership of their financial assets. was initially denied, even under these Sadly, Patrice died in a tragic car accident extreme circumstances. Without the in 2003, leaving behind his wife and three expedited application, the process could take young children, two daughters who are 14 to 17 months. Bo Cooper, a Tahirih Board currently 5 and 8 and one son, currently 14. member at the time, and former General After the funeral, Patrice’s family Counsel for the INS, stepped in to advocate designated an elder to make decisions on for Sandrine and her five-year-old daughter. the next steps for Sandrine and her They were successful and the application was children. The decision was made that finally approved on July 18, 2005. In Sandrine had to marry Patrice’s younger November of 2005, Sandrine submitted all brother, Armand*. Her marriage to the proper paperwork to the Consulate in Armand would be polygamous, as he had Cameroon so that her daughter could leave two other wives. When Sandrine refused, the country for the United States. his family demanded that she marry Unfortunately, the Consulate requested Armand because they had already paid a further information the cost of which is “dowry price” for her and thus had prohibitive for Sandrine who is in ill health ownership over her. They were also and has extremely limited resources. As a interested in keeping her husband’s result, she continues to be separated from finances within the family. her children who remain in hiding, under the care of her cousin.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Women who come to the United States Carolina’s Story with their immigrant husbands or who Carolina*, a woman from Colombia, had marry American citizens once they are here two miscarriages while living with her are especially vulnerable to domestic abusive husband. He blamed her for both violence because they are unfamiliar with of these miscarriages by telling her that their rights in the United States. They may something was physically wrong inside her. be told that if they seek refuge from After her second miscarriage, Carolina’s abusive relationships they will be deported and, once returned to their native husband became physically violent during countries, will be shunned. Nearly three- their arguments. He would sometimes quarters of abusive partners never file cover her mouth to keep her from immigration papers for their abused breathing and try to choke her. The spouses, and those who do usually do so physical abuse did not stop when she several years late. The Violence Against became pregnant for the third time with Women Act protects immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence in their daughter. She was always afraid to the United States by removing the threat fight back because she did not want him to of automatic deportation and thus become even more violent. Fearing for the removing an abusive partner’s control over safety of her daughter, Carolina separated a woman’s immigration status. Only 45 from her husband and contacted Tahirih countries worldwide have any legislation for assistance. Carolina has received protecting women against domestic violence.13 approval for her petition under the Violence Against Women Act and has been granted an employment authorization document. Carolina will use this work permit to make a better life for herself and her daughter, and will eventually be able to apply for permanent resident status.

13 Elisabeth Rehn and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Women, War, Peace: The Independent Experts’ Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women’s Role in Peace-Building, UNIFEM (2002): 15.

*Name changed to protect privacy

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TRAFFICKING Between 600,000 and 800,000 people— Adama’s Story mostly women and girls—are trafficked Adama* is a native of Nigeria who was each year around the world. Trafficking trafficked to the United States when she involves recruiting or coercing a person was 14. A Nigerian couple had arranged into forced labor or sexual exploitation. with Adama’s parents to bring her to the Trafficking victims often find themselves in United States to attend school in exchange dangerous, abusive, or exploitative for the paid job of taking care of their situations such as , slavery-like conditions, sweatshop labor, or children. When she arrived, however, domestic servitude. While some women Adama was made to work without pay and and girls are coerced into trafficking was repeatedly beaten and raped by her situations, others are sold by their families. employer. She was forced to work seven Many women around the world want to days a week and was not allowed to leave their native countries to seek better contact her family. She escaped the economic opportunities and steady work household in 2001, when she was 19. that pays a living wage. Often such Tahirih’s Irena Lieberman, then Director of women are taken advantage of by Legal Services, represented Adama’s case. traffickers who promise good jobs and education in the United States but don’t Adama was granted her T visa approval on deliver, instead consigning these women October 2, 2003. Adama has since been to domestic servitude that more closely able to earn her GED. Her dream is to resembles slavery and sweatshop labor become an attorney and work for the FBI conditions. so that she may prevent what happened to According to the US Department of Justice, her from happening to others. She enrolled between 14,500 and 17,500 people— at the TESST College of Technology and has mostly women and children—are been approved for financial aid. In the first trafficked to the United States each year. semester of work toward an associate’s Trafficking is the leading source of profit for organized crime around the world. The degree in criminal justice, Adama earned a majority of trafficking victims come from 4.0 grade point average. Southeast and South Asia. In 2000, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act created a “T” visa to allow those who have been trafficked into the United States to access necessary public benefits and to eventually petition for permanent residency. Unfortunately, the strict eligibility requirements for T visas have made it difficult for some trafficked women to obtain them. Congress also provided for a “U” visa which enables immigrant victims of certain serious crimes, such as rape or child molestation, also to remain in the United States. Both types of relief (T and U visas) require victims to cooperate with US authorities in bringing the brutal perpetrators to justice.

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EXPLOITATION OF INTERNATIONAL BRIDES In recent years, the IMB industry has exploded in response to a demand by some American men for a “traditional wife” from countries such as the Philippines, Russia, and Ukraine. Between 9,500 and The Arnold & Porter litigation team, Nataliya Fox, and Layli Miller-Muro on the 14,500 foreign fiancé(e)s enter day of the victory in Fox v. Encounters International. the United States every year as a result of IMB matches. Increasingly, the Campaign to End Exploitation by business model and marketing practices of International Marriage Brokers advocates many of these agencies are attracting for the accountability of these agencies, predators, and a growing number of seeks legislative change, and engages in women are paired with abusive men. litigation and public outreach to protect Unfamiliar with the English language and women from abuse. the US legal system, given little “While many women that you are information about their prospective used to would never cater to you like husbands, and misled or not told about Tahirih’s work on behalf of so- their rights by agencies wanting to in old-fashioned times, a filipina will called “mail-order brides” was preserve their profitable matchmaking insist that she make you more track records, many women are left in widely reported in the media comfortable…There are not too many dangerously violent relationships. The including Newsweek, The O’Reilly girls like this anymore (especially Factor, Fox News, NBC Nightly domestically), but rest assured that News, National Public Radio, The this character trait is ingrained in the Washington Post, Journal- mind of the average filipina.” Constitution, ABCNews.com and —www.manilabeauty.com (August 8, 2006) CNN.com.

Americanized—This is the worst thing that can happen to your sweet, innocent Latin wife. She becomes like the women you are trying to get away from. She can become Americanized through her friends or her work. It only takes one lesbian or feminist to plant the seeds in her head, our society can do the rest…” —www.latina-women-girls-brides-wives-ladies.com (August 22, 2006)

“In Russia, she doesn’t have a choice to stay home to take care of her husband, house, and children—for her, it is a dream…she is the weaker gender and knows it.” —www.chanceforlove.com (May 27, 2005)

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IMB. Encounters International tried Nataliya’s Story numerous times to get the case dismissed. Nataliya, a Ukrainian woman, was paired In November 2004, Encounters with James Fox through Encounters International was found liable on several International (EI). She was told that he was counts: for breaching its duty of care by “the best of the best,” “financially and failing to tell Nataliya about a federal law mentally stable,” and “serious about that permits foreigners to escape abusive family.” She was further assured that EI marriages without fearing automatic would help her by providing immigration deportation; for misrepresenting that it advice and services, counseling, and screened male clients when, in fact, it did assistance with understanding and not; and for publicizing and falsifying adjusting to America. However, EI’s Nataliya’s story as a “success” even when screening process of male clients consisted Nataliya had fled to the shelter. In only of an interview and taking James Fox’s November 2004, after a two-week federal fee of $1,850. jury trial, Nataliya won. Fox v. Encounters International marked the first time an IMB James Fox had a history of domestic was held responsible for its role in enabling violence and, when Nataliya confided to the abuse of a “mail-order bride.” The Natasha Spivack, the president of EI, that result was almost a half a million dollars in James went into “wild rages” and beat her, damages awarded and a clear message the Russian woman told Nataliya that this sent to the IMB industry that they could was “normal,” that American men were not continue to pair foreign women with “prone to violence” and that Nataliya abusive men with impunity. should “learn to defer to her husband.” Further, Spivack told Nataliya that she had to stay in the marriage or she would be deported. Nataliya was unaware that in the United States domestic violence is a TAHIRIH PARTNERS WITH CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUSES,LIFETIME crime, because it is not in Ukraine, and she TELEVISION,AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, AND MIRA SORVINO TO COMBAT had no one to turn to. The violence “WOMEN AS COMMODITIES” escalated and became much worse after Nataliya became pregnant. After an On October 18, 2005, especially brutal encounter three weeks the Tahirih Justice Center co-hosted a after the birth of their child, Nataliya went Congressional briefing to the emergency room, where a nurse told with the Congressional her that she had other options. Nataliya Human Rights Caucus, escaped to a domestic violence shelter, Congressional Women’s where she found help and was referred to Caucus, Lifetime the Tahirih Justice Center. Television, and Amnesty International Tahirih helped Nataliya receive legal to bring attention to immigration status in the United States, the growing problem Actress Mira Sorvino addresses the Congressional Briefing on Women but did not stop there. We realized that as Commodities. of women and girls being treated like her abuse, and the role of the international commodities in the global market. The briefing featured Academy Award- marriage broker (IMB) in facilitating it, was winning actress Mira Sorvino, who shared a passionate statement in support part of a larger problem. Tahirih partnered of international efforts to combat the selling of women and girls. Speakers at with Arnold & Porter LLP and brought the the briefing included Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. first lawsuit in the United States against an Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA), and Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL).

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ORKING IN ONGRESS range of organizations and individuals W C who represent many political, religious, TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS and cultural communities. Tahirih OF MMIGRANT OMEN especially recognizes Legal Momentum, I W the National Network to End Violence “Tahirih has proven time and AND GIRLS Against Immigrant Women, the National again to be an important ally and Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, a key element in our national the GABRIELA Network, and Amnesty advocacy strategy, as the voices PROTECTING INTERNATIONAL BRIDES International USA for their critical and core of some of the most vulnerable THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ACTION involvement in drafting and advocating for IMBRA. We are grateful for the among us—such as the battered A historic law was signed on January 5, instrumental advocacy of Joe Grieboski at women, trafficking victims, and 2006, by President Bush that provides the Institute for Religion and Public Policy foreign women with critical information to women asylum-seekers that with Republican leadership and of Father protect themselves from violent abuse by Tahirih represents—resonate Stan DeBoe, formerly with the Conference men they meet through international powerfully across the political of Major Superiors of Men, which marriage brokers. Through a four-year represents the 210 Catholic religious spectrum.” effort, the Tahirih Justice Center led the communities of men in the United States. —Marshall Fitz, Director of Advocacy, American drafting of, and national advocacy for, this Immigration Lawyers Association We recognize the pro bono lawyers and momentous law. lobbyists who spent untold hours The International Marriage Broker conducting research, drafting, and “We have been greatly impressed Regulation Act of 2005 (IMBRA), lobbying on behalf of IMBRA at Arnold & with Tahirih’s creativity and acuity introduced by Senators Sam Brownback Porter LLP; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & (R-KS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Feld LLP; Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker in our strategic planning sessions. Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA) and LLP; Quinn Gillespie & Associates LLC; Van They have suggested bold new Rick Larsen (D-WA) in the fall of 2005, was Scoyoc Associates, Inc.; Mike Mihalke; avenues for outreach to attached to the bill to reauthorize the Altria Group, Inc.; Chevron; and The Estée legislators or the media that are Violence Against Women Act (HR 3402). Lauder Companies Inc. We thank Lifetime both welcome and necessary in IMBRA provides foreign women with Television for its efforts to raise awareness the current pervasive anti- important information about their about IMBRA and mobilize public support. prospective American husbands, such as immigrant environment.” whether the men have violent criminal —Elisa Massimino, Washington Director, Human PROTECTING IMMIGRANT WOMEN Rights First histories. The law also mandates that foreign women know the rights and AND GIRLS’ ACCESS TO POLICE resources available to domestic violence PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE victims in the United States. Through this "The Tahirih Justice Center is a law, foreign women who marry American September 11, 2001, brought about a critical ally in our work men will be given critical tools to protect dramatic shift in US attitudes and policy advocating for reforms in the themselves and their children from towards immigrants. A reactionary push legal rights of immigrant victims domestic violence. for more aggressive enforcement of of violence against women. They immigration laws steeply increased The passage of IMBRA was the result of requirements to qualify for legal status or bring to national advocacy the cooperation and coordination by a wide relief, and sharply curtailed due process real life stories and rights for all immigrants. A host of experiences of the women “Homeland Security” focused bills have they serve—a contribution been introduced and hotly debated, and that is invaluable." some have become law. While the Tahirih Justice Center recognizes and respects the —Leslye Orloff, Associate Vice President and Director, Immigrant Women Program, need to protect our country and promote Legal Momentum compliance with our laws, we have vigorously opposed aspects of these proposals that would have extremely Coalition partners celebrate the passage of IMBRA. Layli Miller-Muro (Tahirih Justice Center), Kiran Ahuja (National harsh consequences for the vulnerable Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum), Joanne Lin (Legal women and girls we serve, who already Momentum), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Jeanne Smoot (Tahirih Justice Center), Maureen Greenwood (Amnesty face overwhelming obstacles to reaching International USA), Josephine Escalante (GABRIELA safety and security. Network), and Jumana Musa (Amnesty International USA).

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OPPOSING THE DEPUTIZATION OF meetings included a resolution by the Montgomery County Council opposing STATE AND LOCAL POLICE AS CLEAR and the formation of the Virginia IMMIGRATION AGENTS Alliance for Sensible Community The “CLEAR ACT,” “Homeland Security Policing Efforts, a statewide coalition to Enforcement Act,” and related proposals promote trust and cooperation between encourage state and local police to enforce police and immigrant communities that immigration laws. Because many immigrant has successfully advocated against women may fear deportation, irrespective measures to embroil Virginia police in of their current legal status, deputizing federal immigration enforcement duties. police as immigration officers would deter victims and witnesses of violence from PPOSING TOUGHER STANDARDS FOR turning to the police for help. The obstacles O that the women Tahirih serves have to ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND OTHER overcome to reach safety are already steep, VULNERABLE GROUPS AND REDUCED from language to cultural barriers to even DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS their forced physical isolation from the outside world. But like all immigrant crime In an effort to protect our clients’ access victims, their legal status—or lack of it— to legal protection from violence, Tahirih can be the most powerful deterrent to has responded aggressively to many coming forward. In order to combat the proposals in Congress that would prevent threat of police being deputized as them from reaching safety. Among the immigration enforcers, Tahirih has engaged proposals Tahirih fought were provisions in in and led both national and regional the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism opposition advocacy. Prevention Act of 2004; REAL ID Act; and Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and NATIONAL EFFORTS Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 that would expand Tahirih has served as a nationally (deportation without a hearing); recognized expert resource to Congress, criminalize those out of immigration the White House, the advocacy status; prohibit refugees who flee to the community, the media, and others on United States with a false passport from the alarming implications of these receiving asylum; and increase the burden measures for immigrant victims. After of proof for many asylum-seekers. To the CLEAR Act was reintroduced in June counter the threat to our clients that these 2005, Tahirih spearheaded a sign-on measures presented, Tahirih worked closely letter to Congress from nearly 100 with other national immigrant advocacy organizations that advocate for organizations, reaching out strategically to immigrant survivors of domestic Democratic and Republican allies, violence, sexual assault, human providing examples of the human impact trafficking, and other crimes. of such proposals, rallying opposition through action alerts and letters to REGIONAL EFFORTS Congress, and replying to requests for In late 2004 and early 2005, the Tahirih information from staff of members on the Justice Center convened three House Judiciary Committee, the Women’s community-wide meetings to help Caucus, and other legislative offices about ensure immigrants’ access to police problems with these proposals. protection in the Washington, DC area. The sessions brought together a diverse mix of concerned participants including members of the law enforcement community, immigrant advocacy organizations, domestic violence service providers, and leaders in the immigrant community. Concrete community mobilization that followed these

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Amina’s Story WORKING WITH LAW Amina* was in an abusive marriage. During ENFORCEMENT TO PROTECT an incident of domestic violence, Amina IMMIGRANT WOMEN called the police for help. When the officer arrived, Amina was unable to properly AND GIRLS “The Tahirih Justice Center is an communicate with the officer because of The Tahirih Justice Center has important partner in our efforts the language barrier. Amina’s husband, worked to build relationships with and an emerging national leader however, spoke English and informed the law enforcement agencies. These opposing restrictive legislation outreach efforts have not only officer that Amina had a fake green on behalf of immigrant women. enhanced our national and regional card. Amina’s husband had secured the The Tahirih Justice Center is policy advocacy, but also have fake green card for her but did not inform making a vitally important strengthened our local direct the officer of that fact. The officer left the services partnerships. Law contribution to the overall home, indicating that there would be some enforcement agencies whose struggle to protect the due follow-up with federal immigration members attended Tahirih trainings process rights of immigrants.” and briefings include police from authorities regarding Amina. A domestic —Angela M. Kelley, Deputy Director, National Montgomery and Prince George’s Immigration Forum violence detective contacted Amina to set counties in Maryland; police from up a time to meet to discuss her Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax case. Amina was extremely fearful about counties in Virginia, as well as police “The Tahirih Justice Center is an this meeting and called the Tahirih Justice from the District of Columbia. impressive organization, Center. Tahirih contacted the detective to In November 2005, at the invitation strategic and deliberate in its discuss Amina’s case and discovered that of the Virginia Attorney General’s approach to issues, with a we had previously trained this detective as office, Tahirih staff presented on the proven track record of effective part of our outreach to law enforcement special relief and protection available to immigrant crime public policy advocacy and high- about immigration relief available to quality legal representation.“ victims, as well as on related battered immigrant women. When the legislative issues, during two all-day —Bo Cooper, former General Counsel of the United States Immigration and Naturalization detective finally met with Amina, he did so trainings to about 70 judges, Service as a potential ally and advised her to no magistrates, prosecutors, police, longer use that green card and to keep his state agency officials, and domestic number in case she was in need of further violence advocates from all over “Tahirih seeks to blend a unique Virginia. At the invitation of the help from the police for domestic violence. combination of policy, direct Maryland Network Against Domestic client services, and litigation to Violence, Tahirih staff made a similar presentation to a law enforcement elevate the issues impacting and advocate audience from across immigrant women and provide a Maryland. human face to the atrocities that afflict women worldwide. Tahirih has become a refuge for these women, a place where they meet advocates with such passion and energy to champion their causes yet feel at home with advocates who genuinely care about their welfare and success as new immigrants in this country.” —Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)

*Name changed to protect privacy WORKING IN CONGRESS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND GIRLS

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TAHIRIH’S OUTREACH MONTGOMERY COUNTY WOMEN’S COMMISSION NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM AND MEDIA NATIONAL NETWORK TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAWNET PROGRAM NORTHERN VA REGIONAL MEETING EXPERTS IN THE PROTECTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATORS OF WOMEN FROM HUMAN PUBLIC LEADERSHIP EDUCATION NETWORK RIGHTS ABUSES SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS TRINITY UNIVERSITY Tahirih staff members are experts in their TUFTS UNIVERSITY fields and are regularly called upon to VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE “SERVING conduct trainings and give public UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES”CONFERENCE presentations. During 2004 and 2005, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES Tahirih participated in trainings and WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN’S FOUNDATION presentations at the following universities, WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP conferences, and organizations: YOUNG PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ETHICS FORUM AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP ALEXANDRIA,ARLINGTON, AND FAIRFAX COUNTY MEDIA (VA) POLICE DEPARTMENTS During 2004 and 2005, Tahirih staff and ALEXANDRIA INOVA HOSPITAL clients were quoted or featured in the ALEXANDRIA OFFICE FOR WOMEN, following media outlets: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ABC NEWS AMERICAN UNIVERSITY,WASHINGTON COLLEGE ALL HEADLINE NEWS OF LAW AMERICAN PROSPECT MAGAZINE ANNE ARUNDEL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATLANTA-JOURNAL CONSTITUTION COORDINATING COUNCIL BBC ARLINGTON ASYLUM OFFICE THE BALTIMORE SUN ARLINGTON COUNTY HEALTH BUSINESS WIRE EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE CBS NEWS ARNOLD & PORTER LLP CBSNEWS.COM CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS TRIBUNE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU CNN.COM OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTRA COSTA TIMES CROWELL & MORING DES MOINES REGISTER DC AREA VAWA NETWORK WORKSHOP FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE PROGRAM FOX NEWS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INVESTIGATION UNIT FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT LAWCROSSING.COM FAIRFAX COUNTY VICTIM ASSISTANCE NETWORK LEGAL AFFAIRS MAGAZINE FAIRFAX COUNTY VICTIM/WITNESS SPECIALISTS MSNBC.COM GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY THE NATION GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY THE NEWSTANDARD GLOBAL YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE NEWSWEEK HOGAN & HARTSON LLP OMAHA WORLD HERALD KARAMAH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA RADIO AMERICA MADEIRA HIGH SCHOOL SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS MARYLAND NETWORK AGAINST DOMESTIC VATICAN RADIO VIOLENCE VOICE OF AMERICA MONTGOMERY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY WAMU: KOJO NNAMDI SHOW (MD) POLICE DEPARTMENTS WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT THE WASHINGTON POST TRAINING ON WOMEN’S E-NEWS

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ORKPLACE HAT To foster a culture of learning and growth, W T Tahirih: MBODIES AHIRIH S E T ’ Conducts annual board and staff VALUES retreats to evaluate progress and establish goals; In 2004 and 2005, the Tahirih Justice Center engaged in significant strategic Assesses progress on organizational efforts to increase its institutional capacity goals semi-annually; and enhance its internal operations. Performs regular 360º staff evaluations To make Tahirih a great place to work, the that include feedback to management; organization: Established a mentorship program so Enables staff raising families to have staff can learn from outside experts; flexible work schedules; Provides a professional development Provides a child-friendly work stipend to all employees; and environment; Conducts regular internal skills-building Conducts in-house stress management, and team-building training. teambuilding, communication, and Tahirih staff and interns diversity trainings; picnicking at the park. Created a 403(b) retirement fund and flexible spending accounts; and Has monthly ice cream socials. To make the best use of volunteers, Tahirih: Established the Bahá’í Service Fellowship, which provides a one-year stipend for two full-time fellows to support the Legal Services Team; Tahirih client Olga Sanchez and her Professionalized our volunteer and daughter at a Tahirih art day. intern management; and Bahá’í Service Fellow, Rosita Najmi, and a client’s Used highly experienced volunteers to child at a Tahirih art day. help with graphic design, IT, human resources, and public relations matters, in addition to those providing pro bono legal and medical services for our clients.

Development Volunteer, Ivi Kolasi, and a client’s child celebrate at Tahirih’s holiday party.

Child of a Tahirih client at a Tahirih art day.

WORKPLACE THAT EMBODIES TAHIRIH’S VALUES

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AHIRIH IS UPPORTED Throughout 2005, and with the T S expertise, guidance, and generosity of BY AN ACTIVE BOARD spirit of board member Leah Rampy, Tahirih implemented a mentoring Tahirih is fortunate to have the dedicated program for the entire staff. This and selfless support of our Board TAHIRIH RECEIVES HONORS program matches each staff person members. In addition to bi-monthly AND AWARDS with a mentor that exhibits the skills, meetings, an annual retreat, raising or leadership qualities, or life experience giving $1,000, and regularly making thank On December 4, 2004, Layli that interests each staff member. Leah you calls, Tahirih board members often Miller-Muro, Tahirih’s Executive worked with each staff member to sustained our efforts through personal Director, received the District of identify mentors and then facilitated donations of money and time. A few stellar the introductions. Mentors agree to Columbia Bar Association’s examples include: meet over lunch at least twice a year Young Lawyer of the Year In December 2004, Michael MacLeod with their Tahirih staff member. Award, and on April 30, 2005, diverted a personal trip to climb Mt. Leslie Nickel and Bo Cooper provided she received the Soroptomist Kilimanjaro to stop in Nairobi at the countless hours of expert public policy Making a Difference for Women American Embassy. Michael inquired and legal advice and assistance Award for the South Atlantic about a long-stalled visa petition for throughout the Campaign to End the daughter of one of our T visa Region. Exploitation by International (trafficking) clients. Due to Michael’s Marriage Brokers. Layli was also recognized in The persistence and dedication, the visa Meyer Foundation’s 2004 Annual was finally issued and our client was finally reunited with her daughter after Report as an “extraordinary years of separation. leader” who is “transforming Greater Washington.” Layli, In the spring of 2005, Mojgan Sami, while traveling on business, went to the along with 11 other area American Embassy in Accra, Ghana, to executive directors, is profiled in assist our client who had been the Foundation’s annual report. separated from her children for five years. The children’s visa applications had been initially approved but never issued, in part because the children received notification too late to attend the required appointment. This put them in jeopardy of never being able to leave for the United States. Thanks to Mojgan’s dedicated and skillful advocacy, the children have now been Tahirih is honored to have been reunited with their mother in the selected as part of the 2004 United States. Catalogue for Philanthropy’s guide to giving in the Greater Washington area. According to the Catalogue, Tahirih was reviewed by “30 professional grantmakers and leaders at 20 foundations and nonprofit organizations.” The honored nonprofits are “certainly some of the best small charities in Greater Washington” where a “donation makes a very big difference indeed.” Tahirih Board Members: Hamid Samandari, Theresa Loar, Leslie Nickel (chair)

TAHIRIH IS SUPPORTED BY AN ACTIVE BOARD

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ENEFIT Tahirih attorney, Ms. Djofang Envelope Award, presented 2004 B changed her daughter’s to Ms. Hauwa Ibrahim in At Tahirih’s 2004 fundraising middle name to Colleen. honor of her incredible benefit—A Woman’s Life, achievements in pursuit of Tahirih presented three A Child’s Future: A World of justice; the Pro Bono Award, awards at the 2004 Benefit, Possibilities—Tahirih presented to Erika including the Pushing the honored Hauwa Ibrahim, Moritsugu and Jonathan a dynamic and dedicated Stoel of Hogan & Hartson human rights advocate. LLP for their dedication to Ms. Ibrahim shared her excellence in representing experiences as the lead Tahirih clients; and the attorney in the case of Volunteer Service Award, Amina Lawal, a Nigerian presented to Stewart Allen woman sentenced to death and Shaun Amini for their by stoning for having a child ongoing commitment to out of wedlock. The case support Tahirih’s Information garnered worldwide Technology needs. attention and support. Hauwa Ibrahim addresses 2004 Benefit. Through her successful defense of Ms. Lawal, Ms. Ibrahim has advanced a legal framework that 2004 BENEFIT HON.MIKE DOYLE HON.ELIOT ENGEL protects and CONGRESSIONAL HON.ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA promotes CO-CHAIRS women’s rights HON.CHAKA FATTAH HON.RAUL GRIJALVA under Muslim UNITED STATES SENATE law, known as HON.RUSH HOLT HON.JOSEPH BIDEN Sharia law. HON.MIKE HONDA HON.BEN CAMPBELL HON.STENY H. HOYER Gisele Celestine HON.MARIA CANTWELL HON.STEVE ISRAEL Djofang, a HON.LINCOLN CHAFEE HON.DENNIS J. KUCINICH Tahirih client, HON.TOM DASCHLE HON.RICK LARSEN also shared the HON.MARK DAYTON HON.ZOE LOFGREN Tahirih client, Gisele, her story of her fight HON.MIKE DEWINE HON.JIM MATHESON attorney, Colleen Renk for freedom. Ms. Djofang HON.RICHARD DURBIN HON.ROBERT MATSUI Zengotitabengoa, and Gisele’s daughter, Brittany Colleen had been a women’s rights HON.DIANNE FEINSTEIN HON.CAROLYN MCCARTHY (named in honor of her activist in her home country HON.CHUCK GRASSLEY HON.BETTY MCCOLLUM attorney). of Cameroon when she was HON.TIM JOHNSON HON.JIM MCDERMOTT imprisoned and severely HON.EDWARD KENNEDY HON.KENDRICK MEEK tortured. After fleeing HON.MARY LANDRIEU HON.GREGORY W. MEEKS horrible atrocities and a HON.FRANK LAUTENBERG HON.GEORGE MILLER forced marriage, Ms. HON.CARL LEVIN HON.ED PASTOR Djofang fled to the United HON.BEN NELSON HON.NANCY PELOSI States where, with Tahirih’s HON.DEBORAH PRYCE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF help, she was granted HON.NICK RAHALL REPRESENTATIVES asylum. With her young HON.STEVEN ROTHMAN daughter at her side, Ms. HON.NEIL ABERCROMBIE HON.BOBBY L. RUSH Djofang spoke not only of HON.TAMMY BALDWIN HON.MARTIN OLAV SABO the struggles she had to HON.HOWARD BERMAN HON.LINDA SANCHEZ overcome, but also of the HON.BENJAMIN L. CARDIN HON.JAN SCHAKOWSKY new life she is rebuilding in HON.PHIL CRANE HON.DAVID SCOTT the United States. Ms. HON.DANNY K. DAVIS HON.MAXINE WATERS Djofang completed a job HON.JOHN DINGELL HON.FRANK WOLF training program and found HON.LLOYD DOGGETT employment. To honor her

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ENEFIT Arnold & Porter LLP for its attend. The children enjoyed 2005 B dedication and excellence in refreshments, a movie, and Tahirih was honored to have representing Tahirih clients a private visit with Her Her Majesty Queen Noor of and for winning a landmark Majesty. One little girl, Jordan as the evening’s case against an Laura, came wearing her keynote speaker. Her international marriage own crown. Majesty is an avid human broker; and the Volunteer rights advocate, actively Service Award, presented to involved in a number of Dorothy Rudzik for her international organizations creative efforts in helping committed to advancing Tahirih achieve a global peace-building and professional public image. conflict recovery. Her speech For the first time, Tahirih— highlighted the escalation of through the help of violence against women dedicated volunteers—was around the world as a deep able to offer child care wound that must be services during the Benefit, addressed. Her Majesty making it possible for many fiercely condemned such clients and their families to violence as a human rights Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), Layli Miller-Muro, abuse and praised Tahirih’s Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and efforts in combating Congressman James Moran (D-VA) celebrate a injustices against women 2005 BENEFIT HON.RAUL GRIJALVA year of success at Tahirih’s 2005 Benefit. HON.JANE HARMAN and girls. CONGRESSIONAL HON.DAVE HOBSON Other distinguished CO-CHAIRS HON.MIKE HONDA participants included HON.STENY HOYER NITED TATES ENATE Senator Joseph R. Biden U S S HON.RON KIND from Delaware, author of HON.JOSEPH BIDEN HON.RICK LARSEN the landmark Violence HON.BARBARA BOXER HON.ZOE LOFGREN Against Women Act; HON.MARIA CANTWELL HON.JIM MCDERMOTT Congressman James Moran HON.LINCOLN CHAFEE HON.CYNTHIA MCKINNEY from the Eighth HON.HILLARY CLINTON HON.KENDRICK B. MEEK Congressional District in HON.BYRON L. DORGAN HON.GREGORY W. MEEKS Virginia, an avid supporter HON.RUSSELL FEINGOLD HON.GEORGE MILLER of Tahirih’s efforts to protect HON.DIANNE FEINSTEIN HON.JEFF MILLER immigrant women and girls; HON.CHUCK HAGEL HON.JIM MORAN and Franca Agnes Nwaigbe HON.KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON HON.ED PASTOR Ukpai-Ama, a Tahirih client HON.TIM JOHNSON HON.DAVID E. PRICE who fled Nigeria with her HON.CARL LEVIN HON.BOBBY L. RUSH three children in fear of HON.LISA MURKOWSKI HON.MARTIN OLAV SABO persecution by her HON.LORETTA SANCHEZ UNITED STATES HOUSE OF husband’s family. HON.CHRISTOPHER SHAYS REPRESENTATIVES Tahirih presented three HON.LOUISE M. SLAUGHTER HON.TAMMY BALDWIN awards at the 2005 Benefit. HON.HILDA L. SOLIS HON.HOWARD BERMAN Each recipient received a HON.CHRIS VAN HOLLEN HON.BENJAMIN L. CARDIN piece of framed artwork, HON.DEBBIE WASSERMAN HON.JULIA CARSON hand-made by children of SCHULTZ HON.TOM DAVIS Tahirih clients. The awards HON.DIANE E. WATSON HON.DIANA DEGETTE included the Pushing the HON.FRANK WOLF HON.ROSA DELAURO Envelope Award, presented HON.DAVID WU HON.LLOYD DOGGETT to The Meyer Foundation for HON.MIKE DOYLE the tremendous support and HON.ELIOT ENGEL encouragement its staff has HON.AL GREEN provided to Tahirih; the Pro Bono Award, presented to

TAHIRIH’S SPECIAL EVENTS AND BENEFITS

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EXELON CORPORATION LAYLI MILLER-MURO KATHERINE BIGELOW JENNIFER PERKINS 2004 EXXONMOBIL MELANIE MOUZOON JAYANNE BIXBY DOUGLAS POMS HOGAN & HARTSON LLP LAURA NEAL STEFANIE BOGDANOFF EARL POSSARDT DONORS KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART JAN PEDERSON ROBERT & JACQUELYN EVELYN PRITCHARD NICHOLSON AKIA PENSON BOHNER DAVID RAMEY FOUNDATIONS & GRAHAM LLP MELAINE PERLMAN THOMAS S. BUERGER PEPPER REMEDIOS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LIFETIME ENTERTAINMENT ELISSA PREHEIM VIRGINIA BUERKI RICHARD RENNER BRIDGEWAY CHARITABLE SERVICES AMY WILSON MUDGE SELCUK CAKIR IAN ROLLAND FOUNDATION MAGGIO KATTAR HODA RAHMI ROBERT CALISTI AMY ROSENTHAL COMMONWEALTH OF MCDONOGH SCHOOL CORNELIA RUTLEDGE ROBIN CARNES F & N ROUHANI VIRGINIA,FAMILY AND MINTZ LEVIN COHN FERRIS HAMID SAMANDARI DONALD CASSIDAY JEANNINE SACCO CHILDREN’S TRUST FUND GLOVSKY AND POPEO LAWRENCE SCHNEIDER STEPHEN CHANIAN MITRA SANAI-MONJAZEB THE COMMUNITY QUINN GILLESPIE & JEFFREY & CLAUDIA SMITH CRAIG CHIOINO RICHARD SCHICKELE FOUNDATION FOR THE ASSOCIATES LLC JONATHAN STOEL LANA CLOUD MICHELE SHAHEEDIAN NATIONAL CAPITAL SAHARA DANCE ALLYN SUMMA PATRICIA COTT JUDY FRIEDER STARRELS REGION SONY CORPORATION WILLIAM SUMMA SANDRA CRIPPEN MILENA STEKLY FOUR FREEDOMS FUND SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RICHARD & JEAN VOIGT LUCINDA CUNNINGHAM KELLY STEWART THE HANLON FOUNDATION BAHÁ’ÍS OF BELTRAMI DAVID WANG BARBARA DE ZALDUONDO CAROL STOEL THE HILDA MULLEN COUNTY ELHAM ZIAI MARGARET DEAN BRENNA SUHM STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP JANET DECOSTA DEIDRE SWESNIK FOUNDATION ALLIES ACOB AND ILDA ST.ROSE OF LIMA PARISH SHERI DRESSLER MARGARET TASH J H ($250 OR MORE) BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MARK EPSTEIN GERALD THOMPSON MONICA BOSE JEHT FOUNDATION WEICHERT REALTORS MARY FARREN LAUDA TLAIYE ANITA & CHRISTIAN JONES DAY FOUNDATION (BETHESDA) B. DIANE FINDLAY NATASHA & YORDAN CHAPMAN THE MEYER FOUNDATION WEST VIRGINIA COALITION KATHLEEN GALLAGHER TRENEV LYNDA CLARIZIO THE MORIAH FUND AGAINST DOMESTIC MINDY GALOOB HOUMAN VAFAI DAVID DEAN THE MORRIS & GWENDOLYN VIOLENCE JEANNE GAZEL W. GIJS VAN DE FLIERT MEG DERONGUE CAFRITZ FOUNDATION WILMER CUTLER PICKERING MICHAEL GELB GWEN VEAZEY DUANE DUMBLETON MORTON K. AND JANE HALE AND DORR LLP SEBASTIANA GIANCI JEANNE VERTEFEUILLE GLENN EVANS BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION WISCONSIN ENERGY TERESA GIMBRERE YVES R. VIDAL PAUL & SUSAN EVANS STARBUCKS MEMORIAL CORPORATION KAREN GIREZ JOHN VON ROSENBERG ANTHONY FALODUN FUND ZONTA CLUB OF FORT MANDY GORDON JUDITH WEINRAUB PAUL FEIRA STEVEN AND SHEILA MILLER WAYNE MARY GORSKI JEAN WHIDDON FARSHEED FERDOWSI FOUNDATION JOSEF & GINGER GRAFUES MICHAEL & PATRICIA LIFESAVERS PHYLLIS FREEDMAN TRELLIS FUND JUDITH GREENBERG WHITEFORD ($4000 OR MORE) MATTHEW FRUMIN US DEPARTMENT OF BEVERLY GUNTHER RICHARD WITTER JACQUELINE EGHRARI-SABET JUSTIN G. 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If this WILLIAM COUNTY EAST JANET TAYLOR EMILY MCCARTHY ELIZABETH DERBES is the case, please accept BAHÁ’Í LSA OF CLACKAMAS JENNIE LEE & ROBERT CASEY MCGINNIS PAULA FITZ-WILLIAM COUNTY SOUTH LEVY THOMPSON STEPHEN & LINDA our apology and notify CECILE FRUMAN CALVERT ASSET KATHLEEN TTEE MCKELLAR us immediately. DELILAH & JAMES FULLILOVE MANAGEMENT HIMA VATTI BRUCE & JUDY MOE JANET GENT CHEVRON TEXACO SHIRIN VENUS ANNE MOSHTAEL FARZAD & NEDA GHASSEMI COLE,RAYWID & L. DELCHAD MOVAHHED MICHAEL GOLDBERG FRIENDS BRAVERMAN LLP DAVID MUELLER RACHAEL GALOOB ORTEGA ($100 OR MORE) CREATIVE ASSOCIATES JOEL & VICKIE NIZIN MITCHELL & CHRISTINE INTERNATIONAL,INC. SHAMIM AHMADZADEGAN KAREN OBEL JACOBSON CROWELL & MORING JEANNIE AINSLEE ELLEN O’GARA THERESA LOAR DALLAS BAHÁ’Í FUND NANCY JOY ALLCHIN A. U. ORDU MARYLIN LOVE EILEEN FISHER,INC. DAVID & BETH ANDERSON WENDY OWENS-LEECH NEYSUN MAHBOUBI THE ESTÉE LAUDER SARAH BARNES MARGIE PACHECO SHIRLEY MARSHALL COMPANIES INC. MANIJEH JAVID BAYZAEE CAROL PAYNE STEVEN MILLER AZITA BEHMARDI OUR S

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CHEVRON ADVOCATES JONATHAN STOEL CHRISTINE ERICKSON NIKA RAMZI 2005 CHICHIE’S GROOMING SPA ($1500 OR MORE) VAISHALI UDUPA ALISON & TOD EWING CAROLINE REID COLE,RAYWID & J. BASIR VAN DE FLIERT PAUL FEIRA GINA RICHARDSON MAYE AGHAZADEH DONORS BRAVERMAN LLP JANE SHORE FELDMAN IAN ROLLAND BARBARA MILLER AND ALLIES COVINGTON & BURLING DANA FELLOWS SHAZIN ROSSOUK VAHID ALAVIAN FOUNDATIONS & CREATIVE ASSOCIATES ($250 OR MORE) ROBERT & DIANE FINDLAY F & N ROUHANI MEREDITH BROWN INTERNATIONAL,INC. FARAH AHDIEH SHALOM FLANK CORNELIA RUTLEDGE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES JACQUELINE EGHRARI-SABET CROWELL & MORING HOORI AHDIEH AND STEPHANIE FOSTER MINOU SADEGHI THE BLANCHARD JULIE GOULD DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY JOHN KRUSZEWSKI DELILAH & JAMES FULLILOVE FARAH SADEGHIAN FOUNDATION JILL & KEN ISCOL CARY MARELLEN JOHNSON AHERNE SURWANT GARCHA FARAMARZ SAMI BRIDGEWAY CHARITABLE MICHAEL MACLEOD DR.DORTHY PRODUCTIONS SARA AKBAR OGIE GARDIZI DEBORAH SANDERS FOUNDATION JOANNE MOORE EILEEN FISHER,INC. 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AHIRIH S RO ONO bono attorneys. This expanded network T ’ P B allows Tahirih to more efficiently represent LEGAL SERVICES a greater number of women and girls. Tahirih’s pro bono support from PRO BONO NETWORK Washington-area law firms allows it to leverage revenue two and one half times In order to serve as many women as over—effectively turning each dollar possible, Tahirih reaches out to the top law donated into almost three. In 2004, 72 firms in Washington, DC and recruits percent of Tahirih’s income came from attorneys who donate their time and donated professional services, with slightly provide life-saving legal representation to more than 28 percent from grants, our clients. In 2004 and 2005, Tahirih’s corporations, and individuals. network of pro bono attorneys grew from LEVERAGING PRO BONO 100 to over 200. Unlike most legal services Law firms that are working on Tahirih RESOURCES providers, Tahirih serves as co-counsel on Justice Center projects on a pro bono basis: all cases referred to pro bono attorneys, AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP 2004 TOTAL INCOME: with staff attorneys serving as active ARNOLD & PORTER LLP $2.5 MILLION mentors to ensure that immigrant women BRAND & FRULLA receive the most knowledgeable legal CLEARY GOTTLIEB representation available. Tahirih now co- CLIFFORD CHANCE CASH IN-KIND counsels on 75 percent of its cases with CROWELL & MORING, LLP INCOME INCOME outside pro bono attorneys. Tahirih works $690,000 $1.9 DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY closely with the attorneys in its pro bono MILLION HOGAN & HARTSON LLP network, communicating monthly through JONES DAY an electronic newsletter, regular trainings, MAGGIO KATTAR close mentorship relationships, and the on- MARSHFIELD ASSOCIATES going provision of O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP assistance to clients represented by pro PAUL,HASTINGS,JANOFSKY & WALKER LLP 2005 TOTAL INCOME: PEDERSON & FREEDMAN LLP $2.7 MILLION PERKINS COIE LLP ROBBINS,RUSSELL,ENGLERT,ORSECK & UNTEREINER LLP CASH IN-KIND SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP NCOME INCOME I STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP $842,000 $1.9 WILEY REIN & FIELDING LLP MILLION WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP

Managing Immigration Attorney, Rená Cutlip, meeting with a client.

MAKING THE LEGAL SERVICES TEAM MORE EFFICIENT GROWTH OF TAHIRIH PRO BONO NETWORK During 2004 and 2005, Tahirih restructured its Legal Services Team to include a Managing Attorney, two staff attorneys, and three paralegals—two of whom are NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS 230 full-time Bahá’í Year-of-Service Fellows. This structure ensures that each attorney is paired with her own paralegal. It allowed the Legal Services Team to streamline its case management and better utilize attorney time. In addition, the Legal Services Team welcomed a new member in 2005—a social worker who works to ensure 100 that the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, including housing and medical care, are met. This new structure enabled Tahirih to open 132 percent more new cases in 2005 and represent 69 percent more active cases than the same time in 2004. 2004 2005

TAHIRIH’S PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES

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STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF ADVISORS

NEGAR ASHTARI, M.A. GISELE CELESTINE DJOFANG*, JAMSHID AMINI, PRESIDENT AND PARALEGAL FAIRFAX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL OWNER, AMERICAN FAMILY SERVICES EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE SERVICE MARIE BROWN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JINA ETIENNE, ETIENNE & KATHLEEN BEHAN,ESQ., PARTNER, ASSOCIATES, LLC, CPA ARNOLD & PORTER LLP BRANDON COHEN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE HRH PRINCESS DANA FIRAS LYNDA CLARIZIO,ESQ., PRESIDENT, ADVERTISING.COM ANDREW CONNOR RACHAEL GALOOB-ORTEGA, OFFICE MANAGER LANDMINE SURVIVORS NETWORK BO COOPER, OF COUNSEL, PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY & WALKER, RENÁ E. CUTLIP,J.D. FRANK KENDALL, PRIVATE LLP MANAGING IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT AND ATTORNEY Very special thanks to Sergio ATTORNEY AT LAW MARK EPSTEIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE Pessolano, for the stunning OFFICER, WILDLIFE BEATRICE KIRKBRIGHT, M.A. THERESA LOAR, CH2M HILL portraits used throughout this BAHÁ’Í SERVICE FELLOW PAUL GLIST, ESQ., PARTNER, COLE, MICHAEL F. M ACLEOD, PUBLIC publication. Mr. Pessolano was RAYWID & BRAVERMAN, LLP ALLISON MEDINA, M.S.W. INTEREST DATA, INC. born in Rome in MANAGING SOCIAL WORKER KAREN HOFMEISTER, AUTHOR AND LAYLI MILLER-MURO, TAHIRIH 1956 and at the CEO, GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK LAYLI MILLER-MURO, J.D., M.A. JUSTICE CENTER (EX-OFFICIO) age of 14 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAUWA IBRAHIM, NIGERIAN WOMEN’S LESLIE NICKEL, began taking RIGHTS LAWYER NAGHMEH PLATENBURG ARNOLD & PORTER LLP pictures of ACCOUNTANT CLOVIS MAKSOUD, FORMER LORRAINE RIFFLE NAUGHTON, people simply AMBASSADOR, ARAB LEAGUE TO THE ELHAM SIMMONS CHEVRON UNITED NATIONS; PROFESSOR, by going once a BAHÁ’Í SERVICE FELLOW LEAH RAMPY, ILLUMINE, LLC AMERICAN UNIVERSITY week to St. Peter’s Square. In the JEANNE SMOOT, J.D., M.A.L.D. RUTH SAKWA*, FAIRFAX COUNTY JUDGE DOROTHY NELSON, SENIOR 1970’s he began to work in DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES JUDGE, US COURT OF APPEALS FOR photojournalism, taking pictures ELYSA PERBER M S , J.D., M.P.P. HAMID SAMANDARI, THE NINTH CIRCUIT of student protests that STAFF ATTORNEY MCKINSEY & CO. JAN PEDERSON, ESQ., PARTNER, sometimes ended in violence. ALLYN B. SUMMA, M.A. MOJGAN SAMI, WORLD BANK PEDERSON IMMIGRATION These photos can be found in DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND LAW GROUP, PC “Quelli Del 77” published by COMMUNICATIONS *Gisele and Ruth are former clients JAMIN RASKIN, ESQ., LAW PROFESSOR, Il Fotogramma (Rome 1999). COLLEEN RENK ZENGOTITABENGOA, of the Tahirih Justice Center. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY J.D., M.A. Today, having reached DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES outstanding technical and PERMANENT MEMBERS expressive ability, he travels the ANITA CHAPMAN world in pursuit of unique LARRY MILLER images. The amazing portraits LAYLI MILLER-MURO,ESQ. used here are only a small sampling of his magical ability MICHAEL PENN,PHD. to capture a face. PURAN STEVENS

TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER 6066 LEESBURG PIKE,SUITE 220 FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041

PHONE: 703-575-0070 FAX: 703-575-0069 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.TAHIRIH.ORG

LEARN MORE AT WWW.TAHIRIH.ORG

The Tahirih Justice Center is a non profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, #54-1858176. Combined Federal Campaign #2231; Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #7702. F 04/05_TJC_AnRptCVR.qxd 9/19/06 11:09 AM Page C4

WRITING: BETSY ROSENBLATT ROSSO

DESIGN: DOROTHY RUDZIK

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL COLELLA,SABINA POINELLI, AND THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO SERGIO PESSOLANO FOR THE STUNNING PORTRAITS USED THROUGHOUT THIS PUBLICATION

TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER 6066 LEESBURG PIKE,SUITE 220 FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041

PHONE: 703-575-0070 FAX: 703-575-0069

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: WWW.TAHIRIH.ORG

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