For a case like the U-visa, I would recommend a lawyer. My father-in-law recently submitted an application for a U-Visa stemming from an incident about 2 years ago where he got into an argument with a drunk neighbor and the guy cut my father-in-law's arm open with a broken beer bottle. He had to submit a copy of a police report plus a report from a psychologist proving that he had to go to therapy over the emotional distress caused by the incident. I think the therapy sessions alone were like $2,000. Altogether I think it cost him about $7-$8K to apply for the U-Visa. That's why you don't see ghetto neighborhoods filled with U-Visa holders.

A lot of immigrants don't bother trying to fix their status, fail to get informed or are simply misinformed because it cost money to talk to a lawyer. Many DACA prospects had to wait or are still waiting to receive DACA because they didn't have the funds or do not want to risk losing money and not obtaining anything. At the end of the day money talks. If you can afford to apply for the U-Visa, then go for it. Our lawyer mapped out my wife's process from her DACA to her green card and simply told us "Worst case scenario: you lose a couple thousand dollars and still have Deferred Action."