Role of an Attorney During the U-Visa Case Process in Atlanta

If you are worried about reporting a crime because of a lack of immigration status, an experienced U-visa attorney might be able to help. An attorney could protect your rights in front of law enforcement agencies and help you adjust your status to obtain a visa.

A U-visa is available for victims of certain crimes in the United States, and obtaining a U-visa can allow a person to apply for permanent residency. The role of an attorney during the U-visa process in Atlanta can be as a confidant, a support system, and an agent to help you along the way.

An Attorney Can Help You Prepare Your Application

A U-visa application requires extensive documentation to demonstrate eligibility. To qualify, an applicant must be a victim of specific crimes, have suffered mental or physical harm, and have already assisted or be willing to assist law enforcement.

An attorney can assist in demonstrating these qualifications in the application process. For example, a lawyer can complete Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, including the applicant’s information and a detailed account of the crime committed against them.

An attorney can add supporting documentation, such as medical records and police reports and work with local or federal law enforcement to obtain a certification necessary for a U-visa application. A certification on Supplement B to Form I-918 serves as proof from the police that an applicant is willing to help with an investigation, satisfying that qualification for a U-visa.

Each of the components of an application is easier to bring together with the help of an Atlanta attorney fulfilling their role as your agent during the U-visa process.

Your Attorney Can Stand By You Throughout the Process

Once an application has been prepared and filed, an attorney’s role during the U-visa process shifts from an assembler of documents to your representative. An attorney may have acted on behalf of an applicant earlier in the process, such as by liaising with law enforcement and by contacting third parties for records and statements to support an application.

USCIS may request additional information or clarification, which an attorney can manage on the applicant’s behalf. If USCIS questions the applicant’s eligibility or deems them inadmissible, an attorney can review the concerns and provide a response.

Your attorney can also stand by your side when dealing with law enforcement agencies before and during the application process. Whether you are providing information about a crime or even appearing as a witness in a prosecution, your attorney can protect your rights and make it clear that you are in the process of receiving a visa.

As a representative, an attorney can guide you through the U-visa process in Atlanta for as long as it takes, from a few months to multiple years.

Talk to an Atlanta Attorney About Their Role in the U-Visa Process

Applying for status after a crime is not without apprehension, and you may not realize how the role of an attorney during the U-visa process in Atlanta is to help you. Your attorney can start by evaluating your circumstances, continue by preparing your application, and follow through as your representative as your application is processed. To learn more about how our attorneys can help you, contact Solano Law Firm for an appointment.