Boston U-Visa Attorneys

Helping Crime Victims Enter and Stay in the United States

If you are an immigrant who is a victim or a witness to a crime, you may be feeling helpless and scared. This can be a stressful and emotional time, and you may not be aware of all of your options. Whether you are a victim of domestic violence, mental abuse from family members, felonious assault, physical abuse, human trafficking, or another crime, you have rights that must be protected.

Fortunately, there are laws in place that can protect you and your family. In October 2000, the U.S. Congress created the U Visa, which assists immigrants who are victims of serious crimes or have cooperated with law enforcement in prosecuting the perpetrator. With a U visa, you can remain in the U.S., get work authorization, and potentially qualify for a green card. You can also sponsor immediate family members to give them a chance at a better life in the United States.

At Toland Law, LLC, we have been helping immigrants in the community for years and are ready to fight for you. We have a reputation for success and are willing to apply our knowledge and skills to get the results you need as you seek a U visa. Our immigration attorneys are standing by to help you through the U visa process. Call us now for your 30-minute consultation at 857-347-3701.

Who Qualifies For A U Visa?

The U visa was created to incentivize victims and motivate them to take an active role in the judicial system when they are victims of crimes. It was also created to help immigrants who feel unsafe due to their immigration status are afraid to contact the police and provide information that will lead to the prosecution of another. Sadly, many people who could benefit from the U visa program don’t realize they qualify. To know whether you are eligible for immigration status under a U visa, please contact our Boston immigration lawyers immediately.

To qualify for the U visa, a victim must adhere to the following:

The applicant must have been a victim of a qualifying criminal activity
The applicant must have suffered physical or mental abuse as a result of that criminal activity
The applicant must have vital information about the crime that occurred
The applicant must help or be willing to help with investigating the crime
The crime they were a victim of was against the law in the United States

Once your U Visa application is approved, it cannot exceed four years. However, once three years have passed, an immigrant can apply for adjustment of status to receive a green card. Your immigration attorney can help you with each step of the process, from applying for the visa to upgrading to permanent residence status.

At Toland Law, LLC, we have vast experience with the immigration process. We can advise you on whether you should proceed with a U visa application and will provide excellent immigration services along the way. Call now to schedule your initial consultation.

What Are the Benefits of a U Visa?

Some of the benefits that come with obtaining a U Visa include:

You’ll be protected against deportation, even if you don’t have a perfect immigrant history
You may be able to bring family members into the country as a derivative of your legal status
Once the petition is approved, you will be authorized to work in the U.S. and receive an Employment Authorization Document from the USCIS
You will receive a social security number, which can be a doorway to many employment opportunities
Your family members will also be authorized to work in the U.S., but they will have to pay a fee to get the Employment Authorization Document from the USCIS
After living in the U.S. for three after receiving the U Visa, you will able to file for an adjustment of status and your green card, leading to eventual U.S. citizenship if you wish

What Crimes Qualify for U Visas?

If you were the victim of a crime or witnessed a crime and you cooperated with law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting the offender, you could be eligible for a unique program that offers hope to victims and witnesses known as the U visa. An essential part of qualifying for a U visa involves proving that you were part of a serious crime.

Some qualifying criminal activity that could make a person eligible for a U visa include:

Witness tampering
Felonious assault
Physical or mental abuse
Domestic violence
Extortion
Abusive sexual contact
Abduction
Human trafficking
Murder/manslaughter
Rape
Incest
Blackmail
Involuntary servitude
False imprisonment
Perjury
Unlawful criminal restraint

If you have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse or were a victim of any of the above or a related crime, you deserve to see justice served. You can rely on our Boston U visa lawyers for assistance in developing your case, securing relevant documents, and assisting with your application. We have helped many individuals achieve U visas, and we’ll leverage that experience to get the best results possible in your case.

What Is the Process for Applying for a U Visa?

Going it alone when applying for any visa is not advisable. Things are even more complicated when you’ve witnessed a crime or suffered as a victim. You probably have troubling feelings of fear and trauma associated with the event, and you deserve help from a compassionate immigration attorney to stand by your side as you petition for special status under U.S. immigration laws.

Some of the basic steps your immigration attorney can walk you through when seeking a U visa include:

Submitting Form I-918, which includes providing proof of evidence of harm. Some examples of acceptable proof of harm include police reports, medical records, witness statements, photos of injuries, and testimonies from professionals regarding your injuries
Filling out Form I-918 Supplement B, affirming that you have been or likely will be helpful in the investigation against the perpetrator
Submitting Form I-912, which is a waiver requesting forgiveness for past immigration law infringements

Please note that individuals seeking U visas typically have long waiting periods, sometimes up to four years or longer. The good news is that with approval, you can obtain nonimmigrant status that might otherwise have been impossible because of immigration law violations. With a U visa, you can have renewed hope and confidence about staying in the United States with your family.

Please let our immigration attorneys help you with this complex process. Call our law offices immediately to discuss your qualifying criminal activity with our legal team.

Should You Hire Our Boston U-Visa Attorneys?

If you are a victim of a crime or are helping law enforcement prosecute a crime, you need to speak with a Boston immigration attorney as soon as possible. You may be feeling lost and confused, but do not worry; we are here to help.

We’ll stand by your side as strong allies in your corner, assisting with the various legal nuances of your case. We can help gather medical records, witness testimonies, police reports, and other critical pieces of evidence to back up your case. We will leave no stone unturned as we seek justice for the criminal activity.

At Toland Law, LLC, we have assisted clients in similar situations and are ready to fight for your freedom. To learn more about your legal options, schedule a consultation with one of the best immigration law firms in the state. Give our office a call at (857) 347-3701 or fill out the contact form on our website.