U-Visa & T-Visa

St. Cloud U-Visa Lawyer

Providing Immigration Relief to Victims of Serious Crimes

If someone committed a crime against you, but you’re hesitant to report it to the police due to your immigration status, you may be eligible for immigration relief through a U visa or T visa. Both visas make it possible for immigrants who are crime victims to remain in the U.S. as long as they’re willing to assist the police with the crime investigation. If you believe you qualify for this type of immigration relief, you should contact a St. Cloud immigration law firm for help applying for a visa.

When you call SRR Law Group LLC for a consultation, our caring immigration lawyer can determine whether you’re eligible for a U visa or T visa, depending on the nature of the crime against you. We understand you may be worried about deportation and other legal consequences when you contact law enforcement officers, but we want you to rest assured that these visas are available to protect immigrants like you. Call our St. Cloud law office today if you have questions about U visas and T visas.

What Is a U Visa?

A U visa is an immigration document that may be granted to crime victims who do not have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. After all, immigrants who are concerned about their immigration status are unlikely to report serious crimes to law enforcement agencies, making it difficult for the police to identify and prosecute criminals.

This protection is why the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows crime victims to remain in the U.S. for a few years and eventually apply for permanent residence in exchange for information that helps law enforcement agencies. In particular, you must be willing to provide the police with information that assists with the investigation and prosecution of a qualifying crime that caused you physical or mental harm.

Qualifying crimes are serious offenses that have the potential to kill or severely hurt others, such as the following:

  • Sexual assault
  • Abduction
  • Domestic violence
  • Blackmail
  • Extortion
  • Kidnapping
  • Rape
  • Human trafficking
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Torture
  • Stalking

Victims of these and other crimes may be eligible for U Nonimmigrant status and should contact local attorneys for help applying. If you qualify for this visa, you can live in the U.S. for up to four years, during which you’ll have employment authorization so you can work. After three years of living here with a U Nonimmigrant status, you can apply for a green card. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to get immigration relief for your spouse and other family members, as well.

If you’re curious about whether you qualify for U Nonimmigrant status, contact our Minnesota immigration law firm. Our attorney can review the details of your case to determine if you’re a victim of a qualifying crime that would make you eligible for a U visa.

What Is a T Visa?

Another immigration relief option for victims of serious crimes in the U.S. is the T visa. Similar to the U visa, the T visa allows victims to remain in the U.S. for a few years as long as they’re willing to help law enforcement agencies with the investigation and prosecution of the crimes that affected them. However, there are some differences between T visas and U visas.

The main difference involves the qualifying crimes that make victims eligible for each visa. U visas are generally meant for victims of certain crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. However, T visas are reserved for victims of human trafficking, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

For example, if someone brought you to the U.S. through coercion, force, or fraud for forced labor, you’re a victim of labor trafficking in this country and likely qualify for the T visa. Similarly, if someone used fraud, coercion, or force to bring you to the U.S. for a commercial sex act, you’re a sex trafficking victim who can pursue T Nonimmigrant status in the U.S.

To qualify for T Nonimmigrant status as a human trafficking victim, you must be able to prove that you would suffer from extreme hardship if you had to go through deportation and removal proceedings. You must also agree to assist your local law enforcement agency with the investigation and prosecution of the human trafficking offense, unless you’re unable to do so because you’re under 18 or are still recovering from the trauma of the situation.

If you qualify for T Nonimmigrant status, you can live and work in the U.S. for up to four years and can eventually apply for a green card. You can also request T visas for your spouse, unmarried children, and other close family members if necessary. St. Cloud T visa attorneys can assist with your application if you’re in search of immigration benefits for human trafficking victims, so contact our law office today.

What Does the Visa Application Process Involve?

Whether you want to pursue a U visa or a T visa, you’ll need to provide some essential details before you get approved. First, you’ll need to show that a qualifying crime occurred, and it severely affected you. This usually involves submitting evidence with your legal forms, such as photos of your injuries, police reports describing what happened, and medical records showing you were physically or emotionally harmed by the crime. Our skilled St. Cloud attorney can help you complete the legal forms and send in supporting evidence if you’re worried about this step.

You will also need to prove that you’ve been willing to assist the police with solving the crime. U visa cases require victims to request U-visa certification forms from the law enforcement agency they helped. While T visa applicants aren’t required to get visa certification, they’re still encouraged to send in any evidence that they’ve been helpful to law enforcement officers. Such evidence might include emails, notes, or transcripts of conversations with the police regarding the serious crime against them.

Once you’ve sent in all forms and supporting evidence, you must wait for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to decide if you qualify for a T visa or U visa as a crime victim in this country. Keep in mind that a limited amount of these visas are available annually, so it could take months or years to be approved. In the meantime, your St. Cloud immigration lawyer can keep you informed on your case as you wait to learn if your lawful status has been approved.

How Can a St. Cloud U-Visa Lawyer Assist You?

Victims of human trafficking and other serious crimes shouldn’t have to worry about facing deportation proceedings after reporting criminal activity. They should feel protected as they work with the police to get justice for themselves and other victims. Fortunately, many victims who don’t have legal status are eligible for T visas and U visas, depending on the crimes against them. If you want to find out if you qualify, contact SRR Law Group LLC for legal advice.

We’ve assisted many victims with their visa applications, allowing them the chance to remain in the U.S. and even apply to be permanent residents within years of visa approval. We know it can feel overwhelming to think about immigration issues after being victimized by a criminal, so we urge you to contact us for help with your immigration case. Call 507-580-7374 for a consultation with a trusted St. Cloud immigration lawyer.