321ACTION: February 10, 2025
Rumors have been circulating among domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking programs that Attorney General Pam Bondi has eliminated critical pathways to citizenship for undocumented victims, the U and T visas, which are available to victims and survivors who work with law enforcement to apprehend perpetrators. While ICE has rescinded previous guidance about interacting with victims of crime, the U and T visas remain intact–these immigration remedies were created by Congress and cannot be eliminated by executive action. Read more and help spread the word using the toolkit you can find here.
President Trump issued an executive order on Friday requiring the Attorney General to review all agency actions for violations of the 2nd Amendment. JWI is confident that all federal agency regulations and actions are consistent with the 2nd Amendment as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Federal regulations, guidance, plans, and funding to local communities are critical to protecting public safety. Most communities across the country have seen a marked reduction in gun homicides in the past few years due to the combined efforts of federal, state, Tribal, and local governments, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Boston, for example, saw its lowest homicide numbers since 1950.
Some good news: Three more Israeli hostages were released on Saturday.
Ready to make a difference?
Here are three ways to get started:
3. Share Our Faith-Based Plan to Combat Domestic Violence
The Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, which JWI leads, has put together a report on the critical role that faith communities can play in combating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking violence.
The IC will be discussing the report in further detail on February 18 at 3:30 pm ET.
2. Help Stabilize the Crime Victims Fund
The recently introduced Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 would help ensure victim assistance programs have the support they need through 2029. As our CEO has shared, VOCA grants are "the bedrock of America's victim service infrastructure,” and provide vital support to millions of survivors and their families nationwide.
Urge your Representative to cosponsor the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025.
1. Learn About the Significant Efforts Made to Stop the Illegal Flow of Guns to Mexico
While the negotiated pause in tariffs against Canada and Mexico made headline news across the U.S., one key detail was overlooked in most media coverage. In addition to Mexico making promises to the United States to increase its military presence along the border to decrease drug trafficking, Mexico extracted a corresponding promise from the U.S.--to curb the flow of illegal firearms trafficking from the U.S. into Mexico. Mexico suffers from high rates of gun homicide associated with drug cartel and gang violence, yet Mexico has only one gun store, and gun sales are highly regulated. Almost 70% of crime guns in Mexico have been traced back to American gun manufacturers and importers, and an estimated 200,000 guns are illegally trafficked to Mexico from the U.S. annually.
+ In case you missed it...
Join JWI and Birthright Onward Israel for a week-long immersive volunteer experience. We will go beyond the headlines, spending time with Israelis, learning alongside like-minded leaders, and contributing in hands-on and meaningful ways to Israel during this critical time. We will work in different community impact settings while connecting with Israelis and fellow trip attendees. In addition to volunteering, we will have programs designed to bolster participants’ understanding of Israeli life and connect them with the land and one another.