- U Visas
When a person has been the victim of a crime, it can be emotionally difficult to come forward and work with law enforcement in prosecuting the offender. This is especially true for those who have come to the United States illegally or who have overstayed an expired non-immigrant visa. An undocumented victim may fear being prosecuted for immigration violations as a result of reporting the crime committed against him or her.
There are a number of requirements that must be met in order for a person to be eligible for a U visa. First, U visas are only granted to victims who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse caused by certain qualifying crimes. These offenses include but are not limited to:
- Abduction or kidnapping;
- False imprisonment;
- Labor fraud;
- Domestic violence;
- Felony assault;
- Sexual assault (including rape);
- Prostitution; and
Human trafficking.
The crime must have taken place in the United States or have violated American laws. Next, the victim must also have information about the crime that is likely to contribute to the criminal case against the perpetrator. Finally, the victim must have contacted law enforcement and cooperated in the investigation and prosecution of the crime. “Cooperating” means that the victim has complied and will continue to comply with all requests from law enforcement officials. Certification of the victim’s cooperation is required for the processing of the U visa application.
For more information about our firm and how we can assist with U visa applications, contact our office. Call 508-388-2999 to schedule a reduced cost consultation with a member of our team today.