U VISA STATUS FOR IMMIGRANT CRIME VICTIMS By Barbara Ann Williams, Esq. The U visa process has evolved significantly over the last decade and a half during which our office has aided numerous victims of various crimes and their loved ones obtain U visa status. Victims of a qualifying crime who suffered substantial harm and …
Bona Fide Determinations for U Visa Applicants Deferred Action and Work Permits
On June 14, USCIS announced a “bona fide determination” (BFD) process whereby certain U visapetitioners and their family members can receive four-year work permits and deferred action while theirU visa petitions (link here to article on U visas) are pending. Given only 10,000 U visas are availableeach year creating enormous backlogs, and petitioners had to …
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10 Green Card Tips For Domestic Violence Survivors Applying Through The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
VAWA or the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 was drafted by Congress to protect victims ofdomestic violence and other serious crimes such as sexual slavery and human trafficking. It alsocreated a path for immigrant victims to obtain legal status including a US residency (green card)based on physical abuse or extreme cruelty at the hands …
10 Things To Know About U Visas For Crime Victims
As a US immigration attorney with decades of experience helping victims of crimes obtain legal status, I am intimately familiar with the U visa process and its evolution over the past 17 years. Below I share 10 important things about the current U visa process for crime victims. But first, a brief introduction. Victims of …
US Citizenship Act Of 2021 – President Biden’s Immigration Plan
PRESIDENT BIDEN PRESENTS MASSIVE IMMIGRATION BILL TO CONGRESS President Biden sent to Congress a massive immigration bill aimed at overhauling our current immigration system, grow our economy, keep families together, reduce visa backlogs, manage our borders responsibly, ensure those seeking refuge here receive protection and provide pathways to citizenship for many, including the undocumented. While …
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President Biden Signs New Immigration Executive Orders
On January 20, the very first day in office, President Biden signed significant immigration executive orders giving hope to millions around the world and those in the US waiting to legalize their status. After years of immigration chaos including removing important asylum protections and separating immigrant children from their parents, we can expect many beneficial …
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Federal Court Upholds Asylum for Domestic Violence Survivors
Monday, April 27, 2020-Center for Gender & Refugee Studies Last Friday, the First Circuit overturned a lower court decision denying asylum to a domestic violence survivor, reaffirming that refugee women are deserving of protection under U.S. law. The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), which argued the case as a friend of the court …
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Trump’s Executive Order Suspending Immigration
In response to COVID19, President Trump signed an Executive Order effective midnight on 4/23/2020 to suspend immigration. The Executive Order is in effect for the next 60 DAYS. WHO IS IMPACTED? The Executive Order ONLY applies to those who OUTSIDE the U.S. on 4/24/2020 and who seek to come to the U.S. as an immigrant …