Do You Qualify for a U-Visa?

Aug 6
08:01

2011

Aaliyah Arthur

Aaliyah Arthur

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The U-Visa is designed for crime victims who are here illegally to seek temporary residency while they cooperate with the police and DA to prosecute the offenders of crime.

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Do you know what your rights are if you’re in the United States illegally or on an expired visa and have been the victim of a crime? Immigrants are probably the most vulnerable group of potential victims in the United States because unscrupulous employers will underpay them,Do You Qualify for a U-Visa? Articles withhold their pay and force them to endure working conditions that are unsafe or dangerous because they know an illegal immigrant cannot risk complaining to the proper authorities without fear of being deported back to their natural country. Illegal immigrants can also be the victims of serious violent crimes such as rape, kidnap or assault and fear seeking out legal help because of their legal status.

If you are an immigrant who is in the country without the proper visa work and you have been the victim of a crime you need to consult with an immigration lawyer to help you find out if you can qualify for a U-Visa. A U-Visa is designed for victims who have endured severe mental or physical abuse to stay in the country without fear of deportation for up to four years while they cooperate with law enforcement officials to bring the offenders to justice.

The U-Visa program was established in 2008 with a fiscal year quota of 10,000 visa spots available and was formed in cooperation with the Victims of Violence and Trafficking Act of 2000. The visa program has been successfully and met its quota for the first time in 2009.

If you feel you qualify for this type of visa your immigration lawyer can help you. The process for a U-Visa is three fold. The first part involves your immigration lawyer having the police or district attorney fill out paperwork that certifies you were the victim of a crime and are cooperating with the police or DA to prosecute the offender.

Next your visa paperwork and the certification paperwork are sent to CIS who will then rule on your status based on a number of factors including your own criminal history and dealings with CIS as well as information on the offender and the nature of the crime itself.

The CIS makes the final decision on who qualifies for a U-Visa and who does not but the process does not stop just because the 10.000 visa quota is met. If the CIS feels you qualify you are put on a wait list for the next year and given temporary residency.

The downside to the U-Visa program has been the reported half hazard methods that the visa applications are applied or given so it’s vital that you have an immigration lawyer help you through the process to ensure your rights are upheld as much as possible in a system marred with red tape.

If you have been the victim of a crime in the United States, don’t ignore your rights to protection and don’t let the offenders walk because of your visa status. Talk to a lawyer and get the help you need.

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