Thread: U Visas for Victims? What is this?

Visas for victims
LA Times OPINION (9/10/2007)

A 'U' visa will finally grant temporary legal status to illegal immigrants who are the victims of crime.

Since the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform this summer, legislators, including erstwhile reformers such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), have felt little compunction about pursuing enforcement-only measures while ignoring the 12 million illegal immigrants in this country.

Now, the federal government is finally working on the other half of the reform equation. This fall, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin granting temporary legal status to illegal immigrants who have been victims of a crime and who cooperate with law enforcement.

The idea for this "U" visa -- soon to be available for up to 10,000 petitioners per fiscal year plus eligible family members -- is an old one. Part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, which was passed nearly unanimously by Congress in 2000, it seeks to protect illegal immigrants from crime, recognizing their particular vulnerability and their reluctance to cooperate with investigations for fear of deportation.

In nearly seven years, not a single U visa has been granted; the agency claims post-9/11 bureaucratic reshuffling caused the delay. It did, however, offer "interim relief" to crime victims, granting work and travel authorization but no official legal status to about 5,800 out of 7,000 applicants.

The new visa will be retroactively available to those victims, along with any illegal immigrants who procure certification from a law enforcement agency that they've suffered crimes such as rape, domestic violence or extortion committed on U.S. ground. As long as the petitioner cooperates with law enforcement, the visa would protect him or her from deportation and grant employment authorization for four years. Three years after receiving a U visa (or three years after receiving interim relief), the immigrant would be eligible to apply for legal permanent residence, though the rules for adjusting status have yet to be clarified.

The new visas are an important humanitarian concession to immigrants who essentially have been twice victimized: first by erratic enforcement of immigration laws and the failure of Congress to pass a uniform fix, and second by criminals who prey on them knowing they're less likely to turn to police. With each government effort to pursue enforcement -- from federal raids and proposed congressional measures against so-called sanctuary cities to dozens of immigration laws passed by states and cities -- illegal immigrants will increasingly avoid reporting crime even in cities such as L.A., where, by long-standing order, law enforcement does not inquire about immigration status.

And though the U visa could be abused, the broader benefit is evident. As presidential contender Rudolph W. Giuliani said in last week's Republican debate (while his colleagues strove to outdo each others' enforcement-only grandstanding): "If you are an illegal immigrant in New York City, and a crime is committed against you, I want you to report that, because . . . the next time a crime is committed, it could be against a citizen or a legal immigrant."

And what if you are mugged by someone with a U visa? Criminals frequently bother each other before they ever set out after us.

Enforce our laws first!!!!!!!!

How have these U-Visa people been hanging out in the US until now? As illlegal aliens? FRAUD, FRAUD and more FRAUD!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone that flees the scene and is never found so you can apply for a U-Visa. Voluntary victimization for a Visa. This is rediculous.

You come to America illegally, you are involved in a crime and you get a reward!

What do I get for reporting a crime or being a victim? Maybe counseling and a day in court.

What the hell is wrong with DHS?

This is just more Bush Amnesty!!

As if this wasn't enough of a sham here's the crimes these people can CLAIM to be victims of to apply:

â–º What Criminal Activities Are Covered By the U Visa Interim Relief?

>In order to qualify for U Visa interim relief, the immigrant must be the victim of one or more of the following crimes or any similar activity in violation of Federal State, or local criminal law: rape; torture; trafficking; incest; domestic violence; sexual assault; abusive sexual contact; prostitution; sexual exploitation; female genital mutilation; being held hostage; peonage; involuntary servitude; slave trade; kidnapping; abduction; unlawful criminal restraint; false imprisonment; blackmail; extortion; manslaughter; murder; felonious assault; witness tampering; obstruction of justice; perjury; or attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above mentioned crimes........................................<


>>>>People who are granted U visas can stay in the United States for up to four years, and may be accompanied by eligible family members, including a spouse, children, unmarried siblings under 18, and parents.

After at least three years, U-visa holders may be eligible for permanent residence status, according to USCIS.

The number of U-visas is capped at 10,000 each year, but that does not include the family members. There is no numerical limit for them.<<<<<

This is just shamnesty by another name. Sickening.

The committed a crime when they crossed the border and should be deported when found regardless of the situation!

The number of U-visas is capped at 10,000 each year, but that does not include the family members. There is no numerical limit for them.<<<<<

Nor the anchor babies.

Dixie

Well, that makes about all of them eligible for a visa....!

Originally Posted by Dixie

Enforce our laws first!!!!!!!!

How have these U-Visa people been hanging out in the US until now? As illlegal aliens? FRAUD, FRAUD and more FRAUD!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone that flees the scene and is never found so you can apply for a U-Visa. Voluntary victimization for a Visa. This is rediculous.

You come to America illegally, you are involved in a crime and you get a reward!

What do I get for reporting a crime or being a victim? Maybe counseling and a day in court.

What the hell is wrong with DHS?

U Visas have been "on the books" for about 6 years, but never used ... until now.

They're only talking about 10,000 a year, but this sure sounds like a "toe in the water" towards amnesty to me.

I would send Webb an email, but he will probably just tell me to suck it up and get used to it - in a most politically polite way - of course.

Originally Posted by Faye

Well, that makes about all of them eligible for a visa....!

Around here, they beat the crap out of their wives all the time, so does that mean they can all get in line for their U Visas and in two years settle into a life on the Welfare plantation with all their young ones?

They're bringing their bad habits here, and getting rewarded for them - go figure!

Sorry if I'm starting to sound insensitive, but we were just getting a handle on battering in the US and now these illegals are bringing in a whole new wave of it. And we're suppose to dig deeper in our pockets to make their lives comfortable.