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U Visas for Victims of Crime

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U Visas for Victims of Crime What are the required For more information, forms to obtain a U visa? Form I-918, Petition for U US Department of U Visas For Nonimmigrant Status. There is no fee Homeland Security for filing this form. www.uscis.gov Victims of If any inadmissibility issues are present, you must file a Form -I 192, Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. Crime New Britain: (860)- 225-8678 Application for Advance Permission to Stamford: (203)- 348-9216 Enter as Nonimmigrant, to request a waiver of the inadmissibility. There is Greater Hartford Legal Aid a fee associated with this form, (860)- 541-5000 however a fee waiver can also be requested. New Haven Legal Assistance Assn. A personal statement describing the (203)- 946-4811 criminal activity of which you were a victim. iiconn - Language Services Dept. www.iiconn.org The Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification, Your local police department which must be signed by an authorized official of the certifying law enforcement agency and the official must confirm that you were helpful, are currently being helpful, or will likely be helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the case. Each law enforcement agency in Office of the Victim Advocate Connecticut shall designate at least 505 Hudson Street, 5th Floor one officer with supervisory duties to Hartford, CT, 06106 expeditiously process a certification of 860-550-6632 helpfulness on form I-918, supplement Toll Free 1-888-771-3126 B, or any subsequent certification Fax: 860-560-7065 required by the victim, upon request. www.ct.gov/ova What are some qualifying How does a victim qualify What is a U visa? crimes? for a U visa? Created with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act Rape The victim may be eligible for a u non- (including the Battered Immigrant Torture immigrant visa if he or she: Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000, Trafficking Incest 1. Is a victim of a qualifying crime. the U visa was established for immigrant Domestic violence 2. Has suffered substantial physical victims of crime. Sexual assault or abuse The U visa is set aside for victims of or mental abuse as a result of that Prostitution crime. qualifying crimes who have suffered Sexual exploitation substantial mental or physical abuse and Stalking 3. Possesses information concerning are helpful to law enforcement or Female genital mutilation the crime. If the victim is under the government officials in the investigation Being held hostage age of 16, or unable to provide or prosecution of criminal activity. Peonage information due to a disability, a A U visa usually lasts 4 years unless Involuntary servitude parent, guardian or next friend may extended by the court for good cause. Slave trade This status comes with permission to Kidnapping possess the information about the legally work in the US and that while it is a Abduction crime on the victim’s behalf. A “next temporary status, recipients can apply for Unlawful criminal restraint friend” is a person who appears in a permanent residence after 3 years. False imprisonment lawsuit to act for the benefit of an Blackmail Extortion alien who is under 16, incompetent Can family members of a U Manslaughter or incapacitated. visa holder be protected? Murder 4. Is, has been, or is likely to be Felonious assault helpful to the investigation or Witness tampering YES! prosecution of the crime. If you are under 21, you may petition Obstruction of justice 5. The crime occurred in the US or on behalf of your spouse, children, Perjury Fraud in foreign labor contracting violates US law. parents and unmarried siblings under Other related crimes age 18. Or attempt, conspiracy, or * Note that meeting these criteria If you are above 21, you may petition solicitation to commit any of the does not guarantee you a U visa. The on behalf of your spouse and children. above mentioned crimes USCIS makes the final decision. To petition for a family member, you must file a form I-918, supplement A, * Please note: this is not an exhaustive petition for a qualifying family list of qualifying crimes member of a U-1 recipient. .
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