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Dear Community Justice Workers:
There have been significant developments in the immigration sphere recently, including the new Parole in Place (PIP) program that went into effect earlier this week. This program grants work permits and protection from deportation for certain spouses and step-children of US citizens. Alongside newer protections like PIP, there are other long-standing programs, including visas that protect certain groups, that provide critical paths to status.
This month, we are highlighting the U visa,a visa dedicated to individuals who have been victims of certain serious crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking among others (read more about qualifying crimes under "Qualifying Criminal Activities").
To learn more, sign up for a training we are hosting in September with the Immigration Center for Women and Children (link below), and in the meantime, find some concrete action steps you can take to support your clients below!
Upcoming Trainings
U Visa Immigration Training: September 12, 10am - 11am- Join us for a free training to learn about U visas and how to best support your clients! Register HERE.
U Visas: How to Support Clients
Applying for a U visa can be more of a marathon than a sprint! There is a massive backlog, as only 10,000 U visas are issued per year, and cases can remain pending for many years before they are adjudicated.
Though the waiting period can be long, U visa applicants are often able to obtain work permits and protection from deportation prior to a final case outcome through something called a "bona fide determination"(more info below). There are key things community justice workers can do to support clients along the way.
Help obtain police reports:The first thing an attorney will want to see to determine a person’s eligibility for a U visa is the police report. If you can help your client obtain this report (from the police department where the crime occurred), that can greatly help clients get help.
Connect to counsel:Many immigration non-profits are at capacity or not taking new U visa cases. If your client cannot find non-profit support, refer them to their local bar association for a private attorney referral (for example, HEREfor SF, or HERE for San Joaquin).
Watch for good news while the case is pending: Given how long the U visa process takes, the government is now conducting “bona fide determinations,” which grant individuals work authorization and protection from deportation for 4 years while they wait for their cases to be decided (read more HERE)!
Keep track of case status: If your client has already submitted an application and has a receipt number, help them keep track of their case HERE.
Community Justice Worker Wins!
We would love to hear more about your wins - small and big! Click on the survey below to share about your effective legal navigation to enter next month's raffle for a $25 gift card!
