Training Resources
The information in this section can be used to educate and train individuals, community-based groups and legal advocates regarding border violence and vigilante activity, and the rights of migrants who are victims of such activity.
Generally, the training resources are divided into the following categories:
- LITIGATION. This page contains links to legal documents and summaries of past and present civil lawsuits brought against anti-immigrant vigilante groups and individuals.
- "U" VISAS. This page provides information on applying for "U" visas to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services on behalf of migrants who have been victims of certain criminal activity. Migrant victims of vigilante violence in the United States may qualify for these visas, under some circumstances even if they are in federal immigration custody or subject to removal proceedings.
- INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PETITIONS. In 2005, the Border Action Network and the University of Arizona law school's International Human Rights Workshop filed a claim against the U.S. to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights regarding vigilante violence in southern Arizona. This page includes links to the petitions filed to the IACHR and the U.S. government's response.
- PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS. This page contains sample public record request letters to federal and state government agencies working along the border. These models may be used to request information regarding vigilante activities, at least inasmuch as they involve interaction with state and federal law enforcement agencies.