U Visa Immigration Relief for Victims of Certain Crimes
The U visa can help certain crime victims feel safer reporting crimes, so that they may be more willing to work with Law Enforcement, even if they do not have lawful immigration status. If approved, the U visa provides the victim with: • Temporary immigration status including work authorization; • Temporary immigration status for qualifying family members of the victim; and • The possibility of lawful permanent resident status. U VISA ELIGIBILITY : U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), decide if a person is eligible for a U visa. THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: Law enforcement provides information so that USCIS can determine if the person: • is a victim of a qualifying crime or criminal activity; • has information about the crime or criminal activity; and • is, was, or is likely to be helpful in the detection or investigation of the qualifying crime or criminal activity, or the prosecution, conviction, or sente