Advisory: Are Victim Services Programs Liable for Criminal "Harboring" When they Work with Immigrant Survivors of Crime?

This document answers common questions about providing shelter and other program services to undocumented victims, describes the law and federal policy (as of the Advisory’s publication date), and proposes best practices for programs. Immigration and criminal laws vary from region to region, and federal immigration enforcement policies are constantly changing. Programs should analyze their program-specific risks, their community’s particular needs, and the laws in their jurisdiction—including legal duties associated with an agency’s funding sources—as they design or update program policies. The document advises programs to consult a local immigration attorney with criminal law experience.