Chamblee U Visa Lawyer

It can be difficult for crime victims to cooperate with law enforcement in the best of circumstances. This situation is especially challenging for individuals who lack legal immigration status in this country. They are forced to weigh assisting law enforcement with the risk of facing deportation, which often allows crimes to go unpunished.

To address this issue, the federal government created the U visa. This program is designed to allow crime victims the opportunity to report an offense without fear of immediate removal. A dedicated immigration attorney could also assist with obtaining a green card along the way. Let a Chamblee U visa lawyer help you navigate this process.

How to Qualify?

The U visa was introduced to serve more than one purpose. It mainly exists to protect undocumented immigrants from being targeted by criminals. Due to their status in this country, these individuals can make for easy targets. Additionally, law enforcement views this program as an opportunity to build a relationship with immigrant communities.

This visa is available to victims of serious criminal offenses. To qualify, a person must have faced substantial physical or emotional trauma resulting from a set of specific criminal charges. An attorney in Chamblee could help pursue a U visa based on the following offenses:

• Assault
• Prostitution
• Kidnapping
• Witness tampering
• Human trafficking
• Domestic violence

Suffering injuries as the target of a crime is only the first step. The applicant must also have information that can help the police secure a conviction in their case. While many people apply as soon as they agree to help law enforcement, some wait until after they have already provided information to assist in the prosecution.

The last hurdle is that a person cannot be deemed inadmissible under current law. This status means they are not allowed to enter the country for reasons that might include prior criminal convictions or violations of immigration statutes.

Applying for the Visa

Like most immigration cases, applying for this program starts with submitting paperwork. The document, known as Form I-918, must be submitted by the applicant. Law enforcement must also execute a supplemental form acknowledging that the police are seeking their help.

When applying, a foreign resident must also provide a written statement explaining how they were personally impacted by criminal activity. It should include details about the offense in question and the ways they are willing to help aid the prosecution.

It is important to note that this is not a permanent solution. What’s more, it does not provide immigrants with green cards. A U visa has a four-year time limit, although it can be renewed if additional assistance is needed in prosecuting the criminal case.

While this is not a green card, it does provide a path to lawful permanent residency. Anyone living in the country on a U visa for three years could apply for permanent residency with the help of a lawyer in Chamblee.

Contact a Chamblee Attorney About Obtaining a U Visa

These protections could represent a life-changing opportunity for an individual without immigration status who was the target of criminal behavior. Now, you are not forced to risk your future in this country to ensure that justice is done.

You do not have to navigate this complex system alone. Contact a Chamblee U visa lawyer immediately to learn about your options.