Chicago U Visa Lawyer

Helping Victims of Certain Crimes Apply for U Visa Status and Start the Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

Individuals in immigrant communities are often vulnerable targets for criminal activity. As a result, many people end up being victims of crimes such as sexual assault or human trafficking. In many instances, an undocumented immigrant is scared to report the illegal act or the perpetrator due to their nonimmigrant status, and as a result, the criminal activity persists.

However, crime victims who qualify may be able to obtain a U visa. A U visa is granted to individuals who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement authorities who are investigating or prosecuting criminal activities.

If you or a family member have been the victim of a crime, you may be eligible to obtain a U visa. However, the U visa application process can be confusing for those who lack legal legal training. For this reason, it is always wise to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you.

Contact Gilliam Law of Chicago, IL, and ask to schedule a Free Case Consult with our knowledgeable immigration lawyer, who can review your immigration case and determine what legal options are available.

What is a U Visa?

The U nonimmigrant visa is a special type of visa that grants temporary legal status in the United States of America to undocumented immigrants who have been the victims of certain crimes that caused them substantial mental or physical abuse. This visa is only for crimes that occurred in the United States. To be eligible for a U visa, crime victims must have played a key role in helping a law enforcement agency prosecute the aforementioned crimes.

If you have suffered substantial mental or physical harm in an unlawful act at the hands of another party in the U.S., Chicago U visa lawyers can assist you in your pursuit of immigration relief.

Please contact our Chicago law firm for assistance with the U visa process. We can help you apply for a U visa so that you and your eligible family members are protected from deportation and are put on the pathway to becoming citizens.

Who Qualifies for a U Visa in Chicago, IL?

U visas are only available to non-U.S. citizens who are victims of serious crimes and are also willing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, passed in 2000, created the U visa program, which is limited to 10,000 total applicants per year.

The U visa eligibility depends on five specific legal requirements which must be met which include:

• The individual applying for the U visa must have been the victim of a crime
• The offense that was perpetrated must be a qualifying crime as described under the trafficking victims protection act
• The applicant must have suffered mental or physical abuse as a result of the criminal act
• The applicant must be able to provide reliable evidence regarding the crime
• The applicant must have been provided information to U.S. law enforcement agencies or is willing to provide information that will assist with prosecution in the future

Some of the types of criminal activity, other than human trafficking and prostitution, that qualify under the Act include:

• Rape/sexual violence
• Assault
• Domestic violence and domestic abuse
• Abduction/false imprisonment
• Blackmail
• Extortion
• Genital mutilation
• Hostage-taking
• Incest
• Murder and manslaughter
• Slave trade
• Stalking
• Torture
• Witness tampering
• And other related crimes with activities similar to those mentioned above

If you still need more clarification regarding the qualifications for U-visas, contact Gilliam Law and ask to schedule a Case Consult so that we may answer your questions.

What is an ‘Indirect Victim’ in Relation to U Visa Immigration?

If you are eligible to apply for a U visa, certain qualifying family members may also be able to apply as derivative beneficiaries after you receive your legal documents. If you are under age 21, qualifying family members include your spouse, children, parents, and any unmarried siblings under age 18. If you are over age 21, only your spouse and children qualify for a U visa.

If the victim of the crime was a child, that child’s parents or unmarried siblings could potentially apply as indirect victims of the crime. To successfully apply, the indirect victims must also be willing to provide assistance to the law enforcement agencies, especially if the principal victim of the crime is too young to do so.

Does a U Visa Allow a Person to Stay in the U.S. Permanently?

Individuals who qualify for a U visa may legally reside in the U.S. for four years. After three years of having legal immigrant status, the individual may apply for a green card, which allows them to stay in the country and become a lawful permanent resident.

However, many U visa applicants are often concerned that while their visa status is being decided, they will face deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy states that ICE must delay making any enforcement decisions until after the individual’s U visa application has been processed.

Additionally, if an individual is granted a U visa, they may apply for a green card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Most applicants who have a pending Form I-485 may be able to apply for employment authorization by completing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Understanding the various steps in acquiring United States citizenship can be confusing and requires the help of a knowledgeable immigration attorney. Contact Gilliam Law, located in Chicago, IL, to learn more about U visas and how they can help you obtain legal permanent residency status.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer to Help You with a U Visa Application?

Applying for any type of non-immigrant visa can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Furthermore, the information provided by the U.S. immigration service can frequently change, making it even more challenging to navigate independently.

An immigration lawyer understands the eligibility requirements of obtaining a U visa and can assist you with building your case. 

Some of the most essential reasons that victims of crimes should hire an immigration lawyer to assist them with their visa application include:

• Hiring an attorney saves valuable time and helps to avoid costly mistakes that could delay the application process.
• A legal representative can provide personalized service specific to your legal needs.
• An immigration attorney can access resources that aid in the U visa application being accepted by USCIS.

Finally, all potential U visa applicants must remember that the USCIS only grants 10,000 U visas annually. Therefore, hiring an immigration attorney from Gilliam Law is critical to help ensure that the application is filled out completely and correctly to maximize your chance of success.

What Makes Our Immigration Law Firm the Right Choice to Help You with the U Visa Application Process?

Gilliam Law is dedicated to assisting those who wish to come to the United States to try and obtain a better life for themselves and their families. Our legal team is firmly committed to helping individuals obtain U visa status after being the victim of a crime.

Our compassionate staff understands that this is most likely one of the most frightening and overwhelming events you may ever have to deal with in your life. For these reasons, our immigration lawyer takes pride in being approachable for all your immigration needs.

Gilliam Law takes the time to give each client and their families the time and attention they deserve. If you want more information about how we can assist you, contact our Chicago, IL law offices at 866-511-3422 and ask to schedule a Case Consult to discuss your case and legal options that may be available.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Experienced Chicago U Visa Lawyer Today

If you have been the victim of certain types of crimes, you may be eligible for immigration relief with a U visa. The immigration process can be difficult, and government officials will look for any errors in your paperwork to potentially deny or delay your case. It is highly recommended that you work with a visa immigration attorney with experience representing clients in U visa cases.

Contact our law firm for legal assistance with the U visa process and we would be proud to assist you and your family members in the pursuit of immigration benefits. To learn more about our legal services, please contact our Chicago law office to schedule your free initial consultation today at 866-511-3422.