If you are or know a victim of a crime and you are in the United States, you should know that a U visa exists for these types of cases. “This is a type of non-immigrant visa available to victims of certain crimes,” the site summarizes. Urbina Immigration Law website.

It is reserved, ratified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – USCIS – for victims of certain crimes who have been physically or mentally abused and who provide assistance to law enforcement agencies and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.”

What is the U visa and what is it for? These are the four requirements to process it

Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa by passing the Protection of Victims of Trafficking and Violence Act (including the Protection of Abused Immigrant Women Act) in October 2000.

According to Urbina’s immigration law, “victims should not fear any form of legal reprisal, such as deportation, and that is the reason for this visa: to protect the unprotected.”

Among its advantages, he adds, “the U visa not only provides the opportunity to access a work permit and a social security number, but also gives a free hand to apply for permanent residence after three years to have been in possession of the U visa”.

United States Tourist Visa: Be careful when filling out the form, it is a declaration that lasts forever

Criminal activity and visa eligibility

In Sect qualifying criminal activity USCIS has an extensive list. About 30 appear:

Photo: Moisés Ávila, El Universo archive
Photo: Pixabay

(JO)