U Visas/VAWA

The purpose of the U visa is to provide temporary legal status to victims of crime who meet certain criteria. The individual must provide evidence that they were the victim of an enumerated crime in the U.S. (generally crimes of violence), that they possessed information about the crime, were helpful to law enforcement, and suffered substantial harm as a result of the crime. U nonimmigrant status is granted for a period of up to four years, and qualifying family members may be included in the application. An individual who has been present in the U.S. for a continuous period of three years in U nonimmigrant status may apply for permanent residence. The Violence Against Women’s Act allows battered spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents to self-petition for permanent resident status under certain circumstances.