U visas tied up in backlog?

  • Jan 23 2017

There are many immigrants in the country who have found themselves the victims of violent crimes. Most of these cases involve domestic abuse between romantic partners. Those in the relationship may be reluctant to report the abuse because of the impact that it may have on their immigration status, especially if they are in the country illegally.

Thankfully, the United States has a visa program available to individuals who have been the victims of violent crimes. These immigrants may apply for U visa protection, which allows holders of the visa to remain in the country. After three years, they may even be able to apply for permanent residence, provided they meet certain requirements.

Unfortunately, it appears that there is a severe backlog with U visas currently, which is having a major impact upon those trying to get the protection they need. There are only 10,000 U visas made available each year, and the wait list has over 60,000 individuals waiting to obtain one of these visas. These numbers have caused concern with those who need a visa to remain in the country after being the victims of violent crime.

What you should do if you need assistance

If you believe that you may be eligible for a U visa, you need to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can immediately begin getting to work preparing the documentation that you need to obtain U visa protection.

Because of the current wait times, it is extremely important that you ensure that your paperwork is completed properly. Any mistakes can result in your request going to the end of the line or being rejected. This will make the entire process much longer.

Your attorney will also be able to help you understand some of the measures that you can take to protect yourself while things are pending. It can be difficult to know where to turn in a situation like this, and it is essential that you are able to talk to someone who understands the law and the process so that you are able to make the right decisions for your future.

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