With the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986, many immigrant women have fewer legal and social resources to draw on in their struggle to provide for themselves and their families. These women may not realize that domestic violence is against the law, that they have legal options to stop the battering, and that agency and community resources are available to support them. Attorneys, legal advocates, and immigrant and refugee assistance agencies play a critical role in identifying domestic violence and in providing immigrant battered women with essential information about help available to them in their communities. The special needs and concerns of immigrant women and their families are discussed to assist professionals and individuals who come into contact with battered immigrant women. Specific problems and concerns faced by battered immigrant women are examined, including the nature and dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of domestic violence on women and children, accessibility to services and resources, the evolution of U.S. immigration policy, civil and criminal remedies for domestic violence, public benefits for immigrants and refugees, and community action outside the court system. Additional information on domestic violence and immigration issues and resources is contained in 15 appendixes. Footnotes and photographs