Tahirih Justice Center
The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, non-profit organization that protects courageous immigrant women and girls who refuse to be victims of violence by elevating their voices in communities, courts, and Congress. Our award-winning, holistic model for protection combines free legal and social services with bridge-building policy advocacy, training, and education. Our programs efficiently and effectively leverage donated professional services from a vast network of attorneys, medical professionals, and experts to serve as many women and girls as possible. Inspired by principles of the Bahá’í Faith, we are committed to promoting the equality of women and men and creating a world where all women and girls can live in safety and with dignity.
Tahirih Justice Center Opens
Tahirih Justice Center is founded by Layli Miller-Muro, following the highly-publicized asylum case Matter of Kasinga. The non-profit is her response to an outpouring of pleas for help from women like Fauziya in desperate need of free legal protection from human rights abuses. Few organizations exist at the time to help.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act Becomes Law
Tahirih serves as a consultant to the U.S. State Department to assist in the conceptual development of legislation that becomes the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The law establishes news visas for victims of trafficking (T visas) and serious crimes (U visas).
International Marriage Broker Regulation Act Becomes Law
Drafted by Tahirih, the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act becomes law, enabling foreign women to receive lifesaving information before marrying men through these agencies.
Muslim Women Outreach Initiative Launches
Tahirih receives a prestigious fellowship from Ford Foundation to begin the Muslim Women Outreach Initiative, a project to empower women in Muslim communities to reject violence.
Tahirih Receives Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management
Tahirih receives The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management.
Tahirih Releases Groundbreaking Report on Gaps in Gender-Based Asylum Protection
Tahirih releases report, "Precarious Protection: How Unsettled Policy and Current Laws Harm Women and Girls Fleeing Persecution," and co-hosts congressional briefing on needed asylum reforms.
Tahirih Embarks on National Tour to End Forced Marriage
Inspired by six young South Asian women using art to heal from violence, Tahirih embarks on a national, six-city tour with Pomegranate Tree Group, a collective of artists and survivors, to raise awareness of forced marriage and its impact on individuals in the United States.
Tahirih Celebrates 20 Years of Service
IWith an army of over 2,000 pro bono professionals, volunteers, and supporters, and with a staff of nearly 70 dedicated women and men across offices in four cities, Tahirih has answered more than 22,000 pleas for help by women and girls rebuilding their lives in the wake of violence since 1997.
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