The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
Those who have been victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, etc. can apply for a U Visa. This visa is, basically, a service for foreign citizens who have become victims of these kinds of abuse. This document was approved 19 years ago by the United States Congress through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act.
The main goal of this visa is to grant a work permit, legal residence in the US, and a path for permanent residence to victims of abuse. U Visa was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases while also protecting victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.
What kind of actions are considered "abuse"?
Who is eligible for the non-immigrant U Visa?
Who grants or denies a U Visa application?
What can you do if you need to send an application?
Although the U Visa comes with many benefits, there is a long way that needs to be walked through in order to obtain the U Visa, and this can be challenging for many. It can take up to 4 years or even more. This is the reality for those who are victims of abuse and apply for the U Visa to receive answers immediately.
USCIS only grants 10,000 U Visas every year, and usually, that limit is way too low for the number of applicants there are. That is why it can take so long to be accepted.
By doing this, the status becomes what USCIS calls “deferred action”. What does this mean? It means that even though the status of a person is not legal, that “deferred action” makes it known whether the person is still in the country and whether he or she is eligible for a 2-year work permit.
Every day, the list grows more and more, while other policies are being used to limit the entrance of immigrants to the country. So, what will happen with the U Visa in the future? Is it going to continue being reduced?
Currently, there are around 234,000 people who, after suffering some kind of abuse, wait for a U Visa in the United States. If the limit is about 10,000, then it is obvious that it is not so easy to get a U Visa.
Therefore, it will be of much help to have an immigration lawyer who is an expert in this kind of case. First, an attorney can help you identify whether you can in fact benefit from the U Visa. Second, your process will be taken care of, in the fastest way possible.
