A Guide to Obtaining U Visa Certifications
This practice advisory outlines some suggestions and resources for immigration advocates working with law enforcement agencies to obtain law enforcement certification for U Visa applicants. It also includes a summary of all state laws, as of July 2017, that have either passed or are pending regarding U Visa certification policies and protocols.
Immigration Relief for Immigrant Survivors of Abuse: Comparative Quick Reference Chart
This reference chart provides a quick comparison between the most common forms of relief for immigrant survivors of abuse: VAWA, U visas, T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and Asylum.
T Visas: What They Are and How They Can Help Your Clients
This practice advisory is designed to introduce legal workers to the T visa. It outlines T visa eligibility requirements, discusses the advantages of applying for T visas over other forms of humanitarian immigration relief, and analyzes how President Trump's recent executive orders impact T visa applicants.
Post-Election Q&A for Advocates and Attorneys Serving Immigrant Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
This Question and Answer (Q&A) addresses potential changes in a Trump administration, written for domestic violence and sexual assault advocates and attorneys who are serving immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. This information may change as we learn more about the plans of the incoming administration. This document was written by Americans for Immigrant Justice, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, ASISTA Immigration Assistance, Casa de Esperanza, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Freedom Network USA, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigration Center for Women and
Notes and Practice Pointers from USCIS VAWA, U, and T Visa Stakeholder Events 2016
This advisory contains general information shared by USCIS staff during multiple stakeholder events in 2016. It is authored by ASISTA, ICWC, ILRC, AILA, Just Neighbors Ministry, and Sanctuary for Families.
New California Law Ensures All Immigrant Crime Victims in California Can Access the U Visa
SB 674 is a new California law that took effect on January 1, 2016. The goal of this law is to ensure that all immigrant crime victims in California have equal access to immigration status through the U visa.
U Visa Database of Law Enforcement Certifiers and Travel/Consulate Information
Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) administers a database of information sourced from more than 700 advocates nationwide with helpful information about law enforcement agencies who certify victim helpfulness for U cases and consulates abroad who issue U visas. The database includes information on who the U certifying officers are and where to send the requests, as well as the most updated policies and practices, nationwide. The goal is to update information on every state and federal agency, whether they do or don’t sign certifications. The database also includes information
USCIS Q&A Notes from 2012 Memphis FBA Conference
These notes were taken at the May 18-19, 2012 conference and contain lots of important practice questions, updates and filing tips for U visa cases.
USCIS: “Consular Processing for Overseas Derivative T & U Nonimmigrant Status Family Members: Questions and Answers”
This Q&A fact sheet from USCIS provides information on making the appointment and preparing for the interview for U nonimmigrants who need to consular process.
US Department of State: “Visas for Victims of Criminal Activity”
This page from DOS provides information on how to apply for a U nonimmigrant visa, the required documents and fees, visa ineligibility and more.https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categori…
VAWA Memo for Self-Petitioning Parents of Abusive U.S. Citizen Sons & Daughters
On August 30, 2011, USCIS issued a policy memorandum on eligibility to self-petition as a battered or abused parent of a U.S. citizen.
VAWA Memo for Self-Petitioners Who Are over 21 but under 25
On September 6, 2011, USCIS issued a policy memorandum on adjudications of VAWA self-petitions for applicants who are over 21 but under 25 years of age.
Pro Se Manual for U Applicants in Detention (English & Spanish versions)
This 77-page guide contains checklists, step-by-step help and sample materials for detained pro so applicants (those without lawyers) who are representing themselves in filing a U visa application. It was produced by the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic of Stanford Law School on behalf of Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland, California.
Policy Memorandum on Extension of U Nonimmigrant Status for Derivative Family Members
June 22, 2010 USCIS Policy Memorandum: Extension of U Nonimmigrant Status for Derivative Family Members Using the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539); Revisions to Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), New Chapter 39.1(g)(2)(i) (AFM Update AD10-08)
Policy Memorandum on Revocation of VAWA-Based Self-Petitions
December 15, 2010 USCIS Policy Memorandum: Revocation of VAWA-Based Self-Petitions (Forms I-360); AFM Update AD10-49
Policy Memorandum on Extension of Status for T & U Nonimmigrants
April 19, 2011 USCIS Policy Memorandum: Extension of Status for T and U Nonimmigrants; Revisions to Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 39.1(g)(3) and Chapter 39.2(g)(3) (AFM Update AD11-28)
Department of Labor U Visa Process and Protocols Q&A
What are U Visas? U Nonimmigrant Visas were created by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000. Victims of qualifying criminal activities who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse may apply for a U Visa if they are willing to assist law enforcement or other government officials in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.
Document Gathering for Self-Petitioning Under the Violence Against Women Act: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide is designed to walk you through the document-gathering requirements under the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its more recent revisions and updates. Though not a comprehensive explanation of the law or its requirements, it is instead a user-friendly resource to gathering the necesary documents for a VAWA self-petition.