Immigrants without legal status who have been victims of crimes may be eligible for U visas, a form of immigration relief designed to protect immigrants who come forward about criminal activity and cooperate with law enforcement.
The U visas process isn’t guaranteed and can take years. Here’s what you need to know about them.
“The first step for someone who believes they might qualify for a U visa is to seek a consultation with an immigration attorney, said Katharina Dechert, the Houston policy and advocacy manager for the Tahirih Justice Center. The nonprofit provides legal support and social services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.
