There are many different types of visas that allow people to live and work in the United States. Many visas relate to employment arrangements or family relationships. However, there are also special visas that can help people in unusual and challenging situations.
The U visa program can be helpful for immigrants in particularly difficult circumstances. Those who have experienced criminal activity, including in a family immigration scenario, might be eligible for a U visa that allows them to remain in the United States.
What is the U visa program?
The U visa program provides visas to individuals who have been the victims of criminal activity. Those who cooperate with the state when it prosecutes a criminal might be eligible for a U visa.
They generally need proof that they were victims of certain types of criminal activity. An immigrant spouse who experiences domestic violence, human trafficking, forced labor or other concerning criminal activity at the hands of their citizen spouse might be eligible.
Often, the option of qualifying for a visa might give people the courage to report illegal activity. Those who might not feel comfortable leaving their spouses or reporting crimes because of their status might also be eligible for a U visa. The perpetrator of the crime does not need to have a familial relationship with the victim for the situation to qualify.
Discussing criminal activity that has occurred with a skilled legal team could help people explore whether a U visa might be a viable option. Victims of criminal activity do not have to stay in unsafe circumstances to remain in the United States legally. With the right help, they may be able to qualify for visas on their own which allow them to separate from spouses or others who have violated their rights.