U Visa Applications
Protection & Path to a Green Card
U Visa for Crime Victims
At Law Offices of Monica Jara-Aguirre, we provide compassionate and strategic legal representation for individuals seeking asylum in the United States. If you fear persecution in your home country, we can help you build a strong case for protection.
What Is a U Visa?
- A humanitarian immigration benefit that provides:
- 4 years of legal status (extendable in some cases)
- Work authorization for you and qualifying family
- Path to a green card after 3 years
- Protection from deportation
U Visa Eligibility Requirements
- You may qualify if:
- You were victimized by a qualifying crime in the U.S. or violated U.S. law
- You suffered substantial physical/mental abuse
- You have information about the crime
- You were helpful, are helpful, or likely to be helpful to law enforcement
- The crime occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. laws
Qualifying Crimes for U Visa
- We handle all eligible offenses including:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault/abuse
- Trafficking (labor/sex)
- Felony assault
- Kidnapping
- Blackmail/extortion
- Witness tampering
- Obstruction of justice
Our 5-Step U Visa Process
1. Free Case Evaluation
- We review:
- Your victimization evidence
- Law enforcement cooperation
- Family eligibility
2. Obtain Law Enforcement Certification (Form I-918B)
- We help secure signatures from:
- Police/Sheriff departments
- District Attorneys
- Judges
- Federal/state agencies
3. Prepare Petition Package
- Includes:
- Form I-918 (U Visa application)
- Personal affidavit detailing the crime
- Medical/psychological records
- Police reports/court documents
- Evidence of cooperation
4. Submit to USCIS
- We:
- File with proper fee waivers
- Request expedited processing for urgent cases
- Respond to all RFEs
5. Post-Approval Guidance
- Help with:
- Work permits
- Derivative petitions for family
- Green card applications after 3 years
Why Choose Our U Visa Attorneys?
- 90%+ Approval Rate or properly documented cases
- Law Enforcement Connections – Know how to get certifications
- Trauma-Informed Approach – Sensitive to victim experiences
- Bilingual Team – English/Spanish services
- Proven Success with complex cases including:
- Delayed reporting
- Uncooperative agencies
- Expunged records
U Visa vs Other Options
| eature | U Visa | VAWA | T Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| For crime victims | ✓ | ✓ (spouse abuse) | ✓ (trafficking) |
| Requires police certification | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Work permit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Path to green card | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual cap | 10,000 | None | 5,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does U Visa processing take?
Currently 4-5 years due to backlog (but receive work permit in 2 years)
Q: Can my family be included?
Yes – spouse, children under 21, and sometimes parents/siblings
Q: What if my case was never prosecuted?
We can still qualify you if you cooperated with investigations
Q: Can I adjust to green card status?
Yes – after 3 years in U status
Schedule For