The Orlando Sentinel reported today that the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently approved thousands of visas for victims of Domestic Violence. This visa classification is known as the “U” visa.
Created in 2000 when the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was reauthorized, the “U” visa program was held in abeyance until 2007 when rules for its implementation were adopted.
Records from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reflect that approximately 4,400 visas were issued this fiscal year.
Before a U visa is approved by the USCIS, the applicant must obtain certification by law enforcement that he or she has cooperated in the arrest and/or prosecution of the alleged abuser without the fear of deportation.
U visas were created to protect some of the most vulnerable foreign nationals, victims of domestic violence and their children.
Our firm has one such case and we encourage other victims like her to seek protection and assistance to help put an end to this problem.
Related articles:
BIA Rules that Green Card Holders Can Also Apply for Relief under VAWA
