Victims of Crime — Humanitarian Immigration Relief

U.S. immigration law provides generous protections to victims of crimes, abuse, violence, and neglect.

U-Visa

The U-visa is available for victims of specific qualifying crimes who have suffered abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

Qualifying crimes include:

Abduction, assault, blackmail, domestic violence, extortion, false imprisonment, fraud in foreign labor contracting, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, obstruction of justice, peonage, perjury, prostitution, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, slave trade, stalking, torture, unlawful criminal restraint, and witness tampering.

Key points:

• Law enforcement certification is required, but arrest or prosecution of the perpetrator is not mandatory

• U-visa provides four-year status with employment authorization

• Eligible for a green card after three years of continuous U.S. residence

T-Visa

The T-visa is a non-immigrant visa for victims of human trafficking — those subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for sex trafficking or involuntary servitude.

• Provides four-year status with employment authorization

• Eligible for a green card after three years of continuous residence

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

VAWA protects spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are experiencing domestic violence. These protections apply regardless of immigration status.

Important: VAWA does not require physical violence. Emotional and psychological abuse also qualifies.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

SIJS is a three-step process that provides a path to permanent residency for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents.