U Visas and U.S. Immigration Law 

Deportation is a serious risk for all immigrants living in the United States. If an immigrant was the victim of a crime in the United States, the immigrant can take advantage of the benefits of the U visa. Violent crime may cause victims to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The U visa assists individuals by helping them avoid deportation. 

The Benefits of a U Visa 

The U visa provides an individual with lawful status in the United States for four years. The following benefits are also associated with the U visa: 

  • The U visa also allows for authorization to work legally in the United States 
  • Individuals may be eligible for lawful permanent residency by a readjustment of status 
  • The U visa helps qualified family members 

Individuals Who May Qualify for the U Visa 

Being eligible for the U visa means that an individual can avoid deportation from the United States. U visas are reserved for non-citizens who have suffered harm during a crime while they were in the United States. 

The following are essential requirements for the U visa: 

  • An individual must be admissible to the United States or possess a waiver of inadmissibility. Essentially, the individual must not have a serious criminal history or a history of offenses related to their immigration status. 
  • The individual has notice from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency that they have been helpful during an investigation. 
  • The individual possesses information about criminal activity that has been helpful, will be helpful, or may be helpful to law enforcement during the investigation and prosecution of a crime. 
  • The individual needs to have suffered physical injury or mental injury due to a qualifying crime. 
  • The individual must have been the victim of a qualifying crime.

Those who meet the requirements listed above may have the right to seek the U visa no matter their immigration status. The U visa can help individuals avoid deportation and obtain reliable employment. 

The purpose of the U visa is to provide immigrants with peace of mind knowing they will be protected from deportation proceedings if they decide to come forward with information about a crime. 

The Types of Crimes That Qualify People for the U Visa 

The following crimes qualify immigrants for the U visa: 

  • Unlawful criminal restraint 
  • Witness tampering 
  • Trafficking 
  • Torture 
  • Stalking 
  • Slave trade 
  • Sexual exploitation 
  • Sexual assault 
  • Rape 
  • Prostitution
  • Perjury
  • Peonage 
  • Obstruction of justice 
  • Murder 
  • Manslaughter 
  • Kidnapping 
  • Involuntary servitude 
  • Incest 
  • Hostage 
  • Fraud in foreign labor contracting 
  • Felonious assault 
  • Female genital mutilation 
  • False imprisonment 
  • Extortion
  • Domestic violence 
  • Blackmail 
  • Abusive sexual contact 
  • Abduction

Contract Cox, Esq. Today If You Have Questions About the U Visa 

At Cox, Esq, PC we represent clients across the globe. We have an office in St. Louis, Missouri and we serve clients throughout Illinois and nationwide. Cox, Esq., PC is here to help you with all of your immigration needs.. If you have questions about the U Visa in Missouri, Illinois, or nationwide, contact Cox, Esq., PC today. We can help you with any questions you have regarding the U visa and U.S. immigration law.