Orange Condado U Visa Abogado

Victims of certain crimes that help law enforcement agencies may be eligible for a U visa. Victims are protected from deportation, allowed to legally work, and can apply for lawful status in the United States. Our Orange County U visa lawyer can assist clients with evidence collection, certification requests, and the U visa application process. 

At U.S. Law Center, we work with victims every step of the way to ensure that their cooperation with the police or a prosecutor is documented, their rights are protected, and they can focus on the positive impact of their decision to help law enforcement.

Contratar a un abogado especializado en visados U

U.S. Law Center represents victims of crime who need protection and humanitarian relief through U visas and related immigration relief. Our attorneys recognize the sensitive nature of these cases and the need to work with local law enforcement in Orange County. 

U.S. Law Center helps our clients obtain the required Form I-918B certification and file complete applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), approaching each case with professionalism and discretion. Every detail matters when a person’s safety, stability, and immigration status are on the line.

What Is a U Visa and Who Qualifies

The U visa offers protection to noncitizens who have suffered mental or physical abuse because of certain qualifying crimes. Participation of the victim in law enforcement investigations or prosecutions of the criminal activities is required. Qualifying crimes include domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 72,438 U visa petitions for victims of criminal activity received bona fide determinations in fiscal year 2024, granting those applicants temporary protection and work authorization while their full cases continue to be reviewed.

How to Obtain Law Enforcement Certification (Form I-918B)

Before a victim can apply for a U visa, he or she must first obtain a certification, Form I-918B, signed by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that certifies the victim has cooperated in the investigation or prosecution of a qualifying criminal offense. 

Certifications in Orange County are usually handled by the Santa Ana Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, or Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The certification is the initial building block of a U visa case. Collecting the reports, case numbers, and correspondence early will assist the applicant in avoiding unnecessary delays in filing a well-documented U visa petition prior to a USCIS review.

Building a Strong U Visa Application

A successful U visa application will clearly show that the applicant was a victim of a qualifying crime and provided helpful cooperation to law enforcement. The USCIS Officer will use each item of evidence to determine the credibility of the U visa case.

Applicants can only file for deferred action and protection from removal while their U visa petition is pending through submission of a comprehensive and properly documented U visa petition due to the annual limit of 10,000 U visas. Evidence that can be included in a U visa case packet includes:

• Police or incident reports that document the investigation
• Medical or counseling records that demonstrate harm
• Court documents or witness statements that confirm assistance to law enforcement

Family Members Eligible for Derivative U Visas

Certain family members of U visa recipients are also eligible to receive protection as a derivative. These family members include a spouse, unmarried children under 21 years old, and, if the applicant is under 21 years old, parents or unmarried siblings under the age of 18. 

Derivative U visa holders are eligible for many of the same benefits as the principal applicant, including work authorization and protection from removal. Maintaining family unity through the U visa application process also prevents additional hardship to victims and allows loved ones to share in the security and stability that U visa status provides. Twenty-nine thousand seven hundred nineteen bona fide determinations for qualifying family members were approved in FY 2024.

Preguntas frecuentes

P: ¿Qué delitos dan derecho a un visado U?

A: U visas are intended for crime victims who were injured or abused physically or emotionally in one of the qualifying events. Crimes may range from domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or kidnapping to a variety of fraud offenses or crimes against the justice system. In each individual case, there must be documented evidence of both the crime and the applicant’s cooperation.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Get a U Visa Approved?

A: U visa processing can take several years due to the annual cap of 10,000 visas for principal applicants. While waiting, many applicants receive bona fide determination status, which provides deferred action and work authorization. Timelines vary based on case complexity and evidence quality. Submitting a complete application with law enforcement certification and supporting documents helps reduce delays and ensures the case moves forward efficiently once a visa becomes available.

Q: Can I Apply for a U Visa If I’m Undocumented?

A: You can apply for a U visa if you are undocumented. This visa helps undocumented individuals who were victimized in a qualifying crime and encourages cooperation with law enforcement. The law does not require citizenship or immigration status, but all criminal victims can and should apply. An approved U visa provides lawful temporary status and work authorization for as long as four years, with a future opportunity to apply for permanent residency.

Q: Can My Family Members Be Included in My U Visa Application?

A: Family members are sometimes eligible to be included on a U visa application. In most cases, the immediate family includes a spouse and unmarried children under 21. If the lead applicant is under 21, their parents and unmarried siblings under 18 may also be eligible. Each family member will need to provide their own form and background information, but their eligibility is directly related to the primary individual’s U visa eligibility and cooperation with law enforcement.

Orange Condado U Visa Abogado

U visas can provide lifesaving protection for victims of certain crimes who are willing to help law enforcement find and prosecute the offender(s). Each case must be carefully prepared and documented to meet USCIS standards. 

U.S. Law Center works with Orange County residents to prepare complete applications and get law enforcement to sign their certification of assistance. We make sure our clients’ rights are protected at every stage of the U visa process so each one of them has a clear path to safety, stability, and lawful presence. Book a consultation today to hire a U visa lawyer.