Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama Receives Grant Money to Assist Immigrant Crime Victims

The Birmingham-based Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama received about $700000 in federal grant money to work with Hispanic immigrants in Alabama. The nonprofit organization helps immigrants who are victims of crimes in the following counties: Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, and Shelby.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, immigrants are more likely to not report a crime that they have been a victim to because they believe it increases their chances of being deported from the United States of America.

The US created laws to protect victims of crimes who are a legal or undocumented immigrant. Those laws are the Violence Against Women Act, U Nonimmigrant Status, and T Nonimmigrant Status.

Governor Kay Ivey believes everyone deserves assistance regardless of their status, and she praises the immigrant-aid group for what they do.

When the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama received about $700000 the understanding was that the money will be used to:

· Provide support groups

· Advocacy for crime victims

The grant will be administered by the state of Alabama.

According to the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama website, they are “a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement, and social justice for Latino and immigrant families in Alabama.” (HICA 2019) There are approximately 169,972 immigrants living in the state of Alabama. (AIC 2015). On top of being advocates for victims of crimes in the immigrant community, HICA also offers other programs to facilitate integration into the American society.