• In the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, you can find a list of actions that are deemed abuse by government authorities and permit a person to benefit from a U Visa. Among those actions are: stalking, sexual assault with a weapon, any kind of sexual aggression, sexual exploitation, murder, illegal detention, extortion, and labor exploitation caused to foreign citizens.

  In addition, practices such as female genital mutilation, obstruction of justice, and incest also qualify. As is the case of homicide, incest, prostitution, kidnapping, perjury, torture, slavery, domestic violence, and involuntary servitude. 

  American immigration authorities try to help foreign citizens who have been victims of such abuse during a corresponding criminal case. By means of this visa you can receive support and it is guaranteed that your case is taken to higher courts even though you are a foreigner.

  You have to keep in mind that in most cases, being a foreigner puts you in very vulnerable situations, such as the ones mentioned above, which are not often solved by the authorities in foreign nations because of the absence of the necessary legal measures. For instance, a resource such as the U Visa helps immigrants greatly.

• Victims of a qualifying criminal act. 
• Those who have faced physical or psychological abuse in a criminal offence. 
• Those who have information about qualifying criminal activity. In the case of minors under 16 years of age, with a condition that may keep him from providing information, his legal guardian can act on his or her behalf. 
• Victims of any type of abuse that is against United States law. 
• People who are eligible to be admitted in the country. Otherwise, they need to apply through the I-192 form(formulario I – 192 https://www.uscis.gov/es/formularios/i-192). You can only use this form to enter the United States temporarily if you are considered an inadmissible immigrant, and if you have documents you need to prove that you can benefit from a U Visa. 

The last resource listed above is temporary aid granted by immigration authorities to those who, after being victims of abuse (as in the case of human trafficking), can stay in the country for up to 4 years. This only applies if these victims have cooperated with the authorities in the corresponding investigation.

Such immigration status can also be requested by relatives of the victims of the crime. They can get benefits like the possibility of obtaining a work permit.

T Status is granted when it has been demonstrated that a minor (under 18) has been treated harshly, which could be sexual, meaning, who has been forced into prostitution. Or when a person is victim of forced labor (slavery).

The USCIS is the immigration institution that grants or denies a U Visa. It is not a necessity to have some kind of legal status to benefit from this process, but you do need to have an official authorization of an official, which means that you need to at least have a visa. Since you do not need to have legal status, this visa can help undocumented immigrants. We have had many clients who have successfully obtained a U Visa in spite of the difficulties they have faced. We strongly recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer so your chances of success increase.

The good thing about this application being approved is that the applicant (who is most likely with irregular legal status in the United States) could get the work permit he or she needs. Likewise, if the person has “good moral fiber”, is financially independent after paying taxes, and after 3 years has the option of applying for legal permanent residence in the United States.

How many immigrants have received threats? How many hide these kinds of abuse? Too many. Being aware of immigration law is fundamental for every immigrant in order to protect him or herself once he or she decides to move to another country, otherwise, he or she will continue being a victim of abuse and fraud.

The fact that a person leaves the country does not mean that he or she has to put up with abuse or discrimination. That is why we have rights which we can only use if we know them. The rights of American citizens being above those of immigrants is something that has been discussed at length. Now, what if an immigrant is physically assaulted by an American citizen? Does that influence a U Visa being approved. It changes nothing since this is a benefit that seeks to help those who have been victims of abuse, which can happen regardless of the legal status of the assailant. This means that even if the aggressor is an American citizen, the immigrant victim has the right to request a U Visa.

First of all, you need to fill in the I-918 form, which must have the signature of the official who has approved the applicant to give the necessary information to help him with the criminal case.

If there is any problem with your application, the applicant has the option of using the I-192 form, the Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-immigrant.

Besides, you should provide a letter in which you describe the criminal act, and list all of the necessary eligibility requirements. You can do all of this while in the United States.

If the applicant is in another country, he or she has the opportunity of applying as well. The applicant will need to turn in the required forms for the U Visa and continue the application normally.

If your application is approved, the person would have to continue with the consular process, since this will allow you to enter the United States. In order to do that, you will need to have an interview in the American consulate in the country you are applying from.

Who can file a petition for your eligible relatives? In the case of a person under 21 years of age, the petition can be made by children, parents, partners, and single relatives not older than 18. If the person making the petition is older than 21, he or she can only include his/her spouse and children.

This process can be made through the I-918 firm, which is part of Supplement A for Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status for U-1 Nonimmigrant Immediate Relative.