A Facebook message that began as a casual greeting quickly evolved into a romance for a woman who had recently moved from Bangladesh to pursue a master’s degree in information technology in 2022. Despite her initial disinterest in relationships, an invitation to a Broadway show marked the beginning of a whirlwind courtship that culminated in their marriage on February 14, 2024, at a New York City courthouse.
“I brought a white dress online, not very fancy and white shoes, tiara and flowers,” she recounted. “I was smiling, just looking at him. I felt really good.”
Following the wedding, her husband applied for a green card on her behalf. While she initially received a temporary card and moved into his family’s Brooklyn home, the couple’s future together took a dark turn.
Now, just over a year later, the 31-year-old woman, who chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, has separated from her husband after alleging domestic abuse. Her separation has left her facing the chilling possibility of deportation amid rising immigration enforcement in the U.S.
Crystal Justice, chief external affairs officer at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, highlighted the vulnerability of domestic violence victims in the current climate. “We have seen abusive partners threatening to deport a partner or their family or withholding legal documents to limit a person’s ability to travel,” she stated.
Many individuals in the U.S. are on visas sponsored by U.S. citizens or live without legal documentation, leaving them with few protections. As relationships deteriorate into allegations of abuse, some partners leverage threats of deportation against their loved ones.
Esther Limb, immigration practice director at the non-profit organization Her Justice, has witnessed a disturbing uptick in deportation threats from abusers. “While using immigration status against their victims is a common tactic used by many abusers…the threat of deportation by abusive spouses is louder than ever and allows abusers to wield greater power and control over their victims,” Limb said.
Limb’s work involves assisting clients who file petitions to remain in the U.S. after alleging domestic violence, a process that can take years due to overwhelming backlogs. Immigrants can apply to remain under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), but these petitions often come with wait times exceeding 36 months. In 2024 alone, there were 35,917 VAWA petitions, reflecting an increase of over 350% since 2014.
For those who do not qualify under VAWA, there is the option to file for a U-visa, available to victims of specific crimes, including domestic violence. However, the approval wait time can exceed eight years, with 41,558 petitions filed in 2024 alone, doubling from a decade ago.
The emotional toll on immigrants is profound. The woman interviewed expressed her anxiety, describing how fear grips her daily life. She left her husband following numerous incidents of verbal and physical abuse, citing police intervention and hospital visits where she was advised to file a police report.
“I didn’t want to go back,” she recalled, feeling trapped. With encouragement from her sister, she severed ties with her husband, only to face new threats.
Documents reviewed by CBS News reveal alarming messages from her estranged spouse, including threats to contact immigration authorities. “1. You are my wife. 2. I am your petitioner. Lawfully you cannot just leave,” one message read, while another warned, “ICE can show up any day and deport.”
Limb emphasized that in the current environment, abusers hold more power than ever before, using the fear of deportation as an intimidation tool. “People are very, very scared,” she stated, highlighting the precarious situation faced by many.
Those seeking confidential assistance can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224, or text START to 88788.