U visa

The U visa is a United States nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse while in the U.S. and who are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.[1] It permits such victims to enter or remain in the US when they might not otherwise be able to do so.

Background

The US Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of people, and other crimes while, at the same time, offer protection to victims of such crimes. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes.

Eligibility

Requirements

There are six legal requirements for U nonimmigrant status:

  • The applicant must have been a victim of a qualifying criminal activity.
  • The applicant must have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of these criminal activities.
  • The applicant must have information concerning that criminal activity.
  • The applicant must have been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
  • The criminal activity occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.
  • The applicant is admissible to the United States under current U.S. immigration laws and regulations; those who are not admissible may apply for a waiver.[2]

Qualifying criminal activity

Crimes whose victims may qualify for U nonimmigrant status include:

Certification of helpfulness

A petition for U nonimmigrant status must also contain a certification of helpfulness in the form of a U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (Form I-918, Supplement B) from a certifying law enforcement agency. This document demonstrates the petitioner "has been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful" in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.

The government entities which are considered "certifying agencies" for the purpose of a U visa application include federal, state or local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges, as well as child protective services, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Department of Labor.

U visa-based adjustment of status: obtaining a green card/lawful permanent residence

After three years of continuous physical presence in the United States while in U nonimmigrant status, a U visa holder may be eligible to adjust status and become a lawful permanent resident if certain requirements are met.[1]

An applicant for U visa-based adjustment of status must still be in valid U status at the time he or she files the Form I-485,[3] which is the date on which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives the properly-completed application.

With the completed and signed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, applicants must submit:

  • Evidence to show the applicant's approval as a U nonimmigrant;
  • A complete Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed and filled out by a designated civil surgeon;[4]
  • The applicant's birth certificate and a complete certified English translation of the birth certificate if it is not in English;[5]
  • Copies of all pages of all passports (and/or other travel documents) the applicant has had that have been valid at any time while he or she has been in U status, or an explanation regarding why the passport(s) are unavailable or lacking;[6]
  • A self-affidavit by the applicant himself or herself attesting to three years of continuous physical presence in the United States since being admitted as a U nonimmigrant and listing the dates of any departures from and arrivals to the United States while in U status;[7]
  • Evidence to show at least three years of continuous physical presence since being admitted as a U nonimmigrant;[8]
  • Evidence that the applicant has not unreasonably refused to provide assistance in a criminal investigation or prosecution;[9]
  • Evidence to show that discretionary adjustment of status is merited based on humanitarian grounds/family unity/public interest;[10] and
  • Evidence of relationship to the U-1 principal (if applying to adjust status as the derivative family member of a U-1).

Types of U-visas

The specific types of U-visas are:

  • U-1 visas - for persons who were crime victims and fit the other criteria
  • U-2 visas - spouses of U-1 applicants
  • U-3 visas - children of U-1 applicants
  • U-4 visas - parents of U-1 applicants who are unmarried and under 21
  • U-5 visas - minor siblings of U-1 applicants who are unmarried and under 21

Impediments to issue

As of January 2016, there is a backlog of 64,000 requested U-visas, but only 10,000 U-1 visas can be issued per year.[1][11] (There is no limit on the number of "derivative" U visas—U visas other than U-1.[1]) Some police departments do not certify any applicants as cooperating, either for political reasons or due to confusion over the law, though in some jurisdictions like California and New York City, there are laws or policies which require prompt certification of anyone eligible.[11]

Incidents

Abuse of this visa has been attempted by groups who have tried to pull cons or hoaxes on law enforcement in order to qualify for the visa. A major incident occurred in Seattle during October 2019. A group of ten staged a hostile takeover of a restaurant. Two members of the group posed as robbers wearing masks and tying up the other people to make it look as though a crime had been committed.[12]

Statistics

Number of visas issued by year

Although the U status was created in October 2000, the first visas based on this status were issued in Fiscal Year 2009. In the table below includes data from fiscal years, so for instance the year 2009 refers to the period from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009.[13] Note that this only counts U visas issued at embassies and consulates outside the United States, and does not include people who changed non-immigrant status to U status within the United States (through Form I-918).

Period Petitions by Case Status
Victims of Criminal Activities Family Members Fiscal Year Total
Petitions

Received

 Approved Denied Pending Petitions

Received

 Approved Denied Pending Petitions

Received

 Approved Denied Pending
Fiscal Year - Total
2009 6,850 6,045 661 11,740 4,102 2,838 158 9,275 10,952 8,883 819 21,015
2010 9,657 10,015 3,995 7,480 6,418 9,315 2,576 6,242 16,075 19,330 6,571 13,722
2011 14,647 10,025 2,007 10,250 10,033 7,602 1,645 8,329 24,680 17,627 3,652 18,579
2012 21,141 10,031 1,684 19,824 15,126 7,421 1,465 15,592 36,267 17,452 3,149 35,416
2013 25,486 10,022 1,840 33,409 18,266 7,724 1,234 24,480 43,752 17,746 3,074 57,889
2014 26,089 10,077 3,662 45,814 19,297 8,457 2,655 32,948 45,386 18,534 6,317 78,762
2015 30,129 10,060 2,440 63,779 22,636 7,649 1,754 46,507 52,765 17,709 4,194 110,286
2016 34,797 10,019 1,761 87,290 25,469 7,624 1,257 63,616 60,266 17,643 3,018 150,906
2017 37,287 10,011 2,042 112,272 25,703 7,628 1,612 79,971 62,990 17,639 3,654 192,243
2018 34,967 10,009 2,317 134,714 24,024 7,906 1,991 94,050 58,991 17,915 4,308 228,764
Fiscal Year 2019 by Quarter
Q1. October - December 7,962 4,069 519 137,993 5,315 2,720 536 96,121 13,277 6,789 1,055 234,114
Q2. January - March 6,916 2,984 774 141,803 4,561 2,323 627 98,130 11,477 5,307 1,401 239,933
Q3. April - June
Q4. July - September
Total 14,878 7,053 1,293 141,803 9,876 5,043 1,163 98,130 24,754 12,096 2,456 239,933

References
  1. "Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status". U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  2. "I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant". U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (official website). Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  3. 8 CFR 245.24(b)(2)(i) and (ii)
  4. "I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record". U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  5. "Instructions for I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status" (PDF). Department of Homeland Security: U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  6. 8 CFR 245.24(d)(5)
  7. 8 CFR Section 245.24(a)
  8. 8 CFR 245.24(a)
  9. INA 245(m); 8 CFR 245.24
  10. INA 245(m)
  11. Hansi Lo Wang (2016-01-20). "Immigration Relief Possible In Return For Crime Victims' Cooperation". NPR. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  12. Asia Fields (2019-11-04). "Sheriff says SeaTac Bob's Burgers takeover-robbery was a 'hoax' in attempt to qualify for visa for crime victims". ST. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  13. "Non-immigrant visa statistics". United States Department of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
Attribution

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of Homeland Security document: "Victims of Criminal Activity, U Nonimmigrant Status".

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