If you were hurt by a crime and you spoke up
The U visa is a form of protection under federal immigration law for victims of certain crimes who suffered substantial physical or mental harm and who have been, are being, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement. It was created so that people would not be afraid to report crime because of their immigration status.
Qualifying crimes include domestic violence, sexual assault, felonious assault, kidnapping, extortion, witness tampering, trafficking, and other serious offenses listed in the law. The crime must have happened in the United States or violated U.S. law. The person who hurt you does not have to be a family member or have any immigration status.
Many of our clients were afraid to call the police at first. If you did, or if you cooperated once the police became involved, that cooperation is the heart of a U visa case. We talk about what happened only as much as the case needs, and at your pace.
How the U visa process works
The application is Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, filed with USCIS. Before it can be filed, a law enforcement agency has to sign Form I-918 Supplement B, the U visa certification. This form confirms that you were a victim of a qualifying crime and that you were helpful. Police departments, prosecutors, judges, and some other agencies can sign it.
Getting the certification is often the hardest step. Each agency has its own process, and some say no. We identify the right agency, prepare the request with the police reports and case numbers, and follow up until there is an answer.
The number of U visas available each year is limited by law, and the wait is long. While you wait, USCIS may issue a bona fide determination, which can come with a work permit and protection from deportation. If you are inadmissible for some reason, such as a prior entry without inspection, we may request a waiver on Form I-192 at the same time.
- Step 1: Free consultation to confirm the crime qualifies and that you cooperated with law enforcement.
- Step 2: We request the I-918 Supplement B certification from the right agency.
- Step 3: We prepare and file the I-918, your personal statement, evidence of harm, and any waiver needed.
- Step 4: We request work authorization when the rules allow and respond to any USCIS requests while you wait.
- Step 5: Once you have held U status for the required period, we help you apply for permanent residence (a green card).
What USG Law Group does for you
Gigi Mejia, our USCIS Practice Manager, is usually your first contact and works the USCIS petition side of the firm, including U visas. Attorney Marianela Uribe reviews and signs every filing and handles the legal questions, including waivers and cases that overlap with immigration court (EOIR).
We gather the police reports, court records, medical or counseling records, and protective orders. We write your personal statement with you so that it explains the crime, the harm, and your cooperation clearly. We prepare the certification request so the agency can sign it without back-and-forth.
After filing, we track the case, request the work permit when the rules allow, respond to requests for evidence, and keep your family members' applications moving alongside yours. Spouses, children, and in some cases parents and siblings can be included.
Requirements, common problems, and honest expectations
You generally need four things: a qualifying crime, substantial harm, helpfulness to law enforcement, and admissibility or a waiver. Cases often stall at the certification step, when an agency is slow or refuses, or when a crime was never reported. Sometimes the crime happened years ago, and records are hard to find. We can often still locate them.
Certain criminal history, prior removal orders, or past immigration fraud do not always end the case, but they usually require a waiver and careful explanation. Please tell us everything in the consultation. Surprises later are what hurt cases.
We will not tell you a U visa is quick, because it is not. We will tell you what the wait looks like today, what protections may be available during it, and whether another option, such as VAWA, a T visa, or asylum, may fit better.
Why crime victims choose a U visa lawyer at USG Law Group
You will be heard in your own language by a bilingual, woman-led firm. Clients tell us we explain everything in detail, respond quickly, and prepare cases faster than other offices had quoted them.
We offer a free initial consultation, payment plans and financing, and evening, weekend, and virtual appointments. Our office is in Woodbridge, Virginia, near Potomac Mills, and we serve clients across Northern Virginia, Richmond, Maryland, and Washington DC. If coming in person is hard, we start by phone.
Related help from USG Law Group
If the person who hurt you is your U.S. citizen or resident spouse or parent, see our VAWA page, which may be faster. If you were forced to work or forced into sex work, see our T Visa page. Our Work Permit (EAD) page explains work authorization while you wait, and our Adjustment of Status page covers the green card step later. If you are in removal proceedings, see our Deportation Defense page.
