USCIS Reaches Milestone for Third Straight Year: 10,000 U Visas Approved

Ianus · 08-21-2012, 08:20 PM

It looks like the U visa limit has been reached.

Quote:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today marked a significant milestone in its efforts to provide relief to victims of crimes by approving the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status, also referred to as the U-visa. This is the third straight year USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U-visas in 2008.

Each year, 10,000 U-visas are available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U-visa petition requires law enforcement certification of assistance in the investigation or prosecution of crimes.

“The U-visa is an important tool aiding law enforcement to bring criminals to justice,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “At the same time, we are able to provide immigration protection to victims of crime and their families. Both benefits are in the interest of the public we serve.”

In recent years, USCIS has greatly expanded its public education and outreach effort through partnerships with law enforcement agencies and service providers. As part of this effort, USCIS officers have traveled to more than 40 cities, including Denver, New York City, Newark, and San Antonio, to train federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and immigrant-serving organizations on immigration protections available to individuals who are victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes.

The program was created by Congress to strengthen the law enforcement community’s ability to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes while at the same time offering protection to victims. More than 61,000 victims and their family members have received U-visas since the implementation of this program in 2008.

USCIS will continue to accept new petitions as they are received until the end of the current fiscal year, and will resume issuing U-visas on Oct. 1, 2012, the first day of fiscal year 2013 when new visas are available.

If I'm not mistaken those with pending petitions are suppose to get Deferred action so it creates an interesting dilemna of what happens to those who file under DACA.

dreamy14 · 08-21-2012, 11:32 PM

I wonder if the EAD has quota too considering most application would file thru DACA.

Demise · 08-22-2012, 01:41 PM

2Face · 08-22-2012, 01:54 PM

Umm tf is a U visa? Can't believe I haven't heard of this.

fl_dreamer · 08-22-2012, 02:21 PM

U visa:

U-visas are available for victims of crime who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute those crimes. A U-visa petition requires law enforcement certification of assistance in the investigation or prosecution of crimes.

CosmicNightmare · 08-22-2012, 02:29 PM

I'm in the middle of applying for a U Visa while my brother is applying for DACA. Wonder who will get it first?

DareToAct · 08-22-2012, 03:18 PM

So we're getting the EAD right? Because I already did the biometrics.... so the work permits are still coming through right?

Ianus · 08-22-2012, 04:32 PM

^The U-visa is an EAD card with the category A19 or A20 on it.The visa limit has been reached but according to USCIS the 10,000 visa numbers won't be available until another fiscal year which starts sometime in October therefore no individual who has applied for the benefit can't possibly get it until then due to quotas.If you mean the Interim EAD for deferred action that seems very likely at this point if someone has an application pending.

@Cosmic,Your brother is very likely to receive DACA first BUT considering this status does lead to Permanent Residency 3 years later potentially I think you'd have the edge.

DareToAct · 08-22-2012, 05:36 PM

^what do you mean by interim EAD?? I know we get an EAD while the application is on the wait list; I read that on the website.

Ianus · 08-22-2012, 05:58 PM

The Interim EAD only applies when the visa numbers have run out which it has in this case.The interim EAD is given in the form of Deferred action while the applicant's U application is pending and the visa numbers have run out for the fiscal year.

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

April

USCIS Reaches Milestone for Third Straight Year: 10,000 U Visas Approved