Houston U-Visa Lawyer

Helping Crime Victims Live Legally in the United States

Unfortunately, not everyone’s immigration journey takes a happy path. Some individuals attempting to immigrate face abuse, discrimination, and even enslavement. The U.S. Congress created the U visa program to encourage those victims of a crime to report the crimes and seek justice.

Under the U visa program, someone who is the victim of a crime can gain legal status if they fulfill certain criteria. The legal status may last up to four years and can be extended in some circumstances. If the person is eligible, their status may be upgraded to permanent legal status, which can eventually lead to U.S. citizenship.

Getting a U non-immigrant visa can be complicated, especially if a spouse or family member is abusing you. An immigration lawyer is an excellent resource for questions regarding your eligibility. Your immigration law team can help you identify which visa is right for you and help with the application process. They will represent you to protect your rights and get you the immigration status you need.

Contact our helpful, knowledgeable legal team at 346-423-2375 to schedule a free consultation with our U visa attorney. We will walk you through the visa process and help you get the best chance of getting approval so you can start a new life in the United States.

Who Is Eligible for a U Visa?

The foreign-born person must have experienced a qualifying crime to be eligible for a U visa. They may have also been solicited to commit a crime or enter a conspiracy to commit criminal activity.

Some of the qualifying crimes include:

• Human trafficking
• Rape
• Blackmail
• Stalking
• Torture
• Prostitution
• Kidnapping
• Murder/manslaughter
• Domestic violence
• Mental or physical abuse
• False imprisonment
• Forced labor or involuntary servitude
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation

If you are the victim of one of the above or other serious crimes that occurred on U.S. soil or violated U.S. law, you may be eligible for a U visa. These visas are available for children, women, and men. Please don’t hesitate to contact our law office right away for help. You may be able to help law enforcement officials end the crimes so others don’t have to suffer in the same way.

What Are the Steps of the U Visa Application?

Applying for a U visa can be complicated and may be overwhelming for individuals who have already suffered substantial physical abuse. If you are the victim of qualifying criminal activity, please contact our legal team for help working with law enforcement agencies to combat the crime and get to a place of safety.

Some of the main steps of obtaining a U visa are:

• Filing a Form I-918 along with the approval of a law enforcement agency
• Filing Form I-192 for permission to enter the country with nonimmigrant status
• Providing evidence that you meet the requirements for a U visa, including being a victim of qualifying criminal activity
• Writing a personal statement that describes the crime you witnessed or were a victim of

Please note that there is a yearly cap for U visas, so you should not delay starting the visa process. Your quick action can allow law enforcement agencies to find the criminals and see justice served. You can also give yourself better chances of approval by seeking a visa sooner rather than later. Call our immigration law office now for help submitting the proper forms and evidence to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How Long Do I Have to Apply for a U Visa in Texas?

The length of time you have to file for a U visa depends on several factors, including the type of crime committed, the location of your law enforcement agency, and which agency is handling your case. Most crimes have a deadline depending on the severity of the crime. You should consult with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to submit your U visa application.

The following are some examples of criminal activity that is eligible under the U visa program and the timeframe victims have to report the crime:

• Domestic violence – two years
• Perjury – two years
• Obstruction of justice – three years
• Unlawful criminal restraint – three years
• Aggravated assault – three years
• Kidnapping – five years
• Extortion – five years
• Sexual assault – ten years
• Prostitution – ten years
• Human trafficking – ten years
• Sexual exploitation of a child – no deadline
• Murder or manslaughter – no deadline

What Are the Benefits of a U Visa?

A U visa can be life-saving for a person in a dangerous situation, such as victims of physical or mental abuse. These visas allow victims of criminal activity to enter the United States and stay temporarily while law enforcement officials seek to resolve the matter.

U visas have other benefits, including:

• The ability to live in the United States for up to four years (sometimes longer if an extension is granted)
• Employment authorization, or the right to work in the U.S.
• Eligibility for legal permanent residency (green card) if the person qualifies, meaning they can then sponsor qualifying family members to enter the country

To help you achieve lawful status and enter the United States safely, please contact our U visa attorney immediately. We will address your concerns and help you through the U visa process. With a yearly cap and the desirability of the U visa, there is stiff competition to get approved. Our immigration lawyer will stand by your side and represent you throughout the U visa petition process.

Do I Need an Immigration Attorney to Help with My U Visa Application?

If you are a U visa applicant, you should consider speaking with an immigration attorney right away. A U visa lawyer can answer your questions based on their years of experience. They can also coordinate efforts with other law enforcement officials to ensure your case is handled correctly and you get the protection you deserve.

Some other advantages to hiring an experienced immigration attorney include:

• Legal counsel based on experience immigrants gain lawful status
• Help gathering evidence to prove you were a victim of a qualifying crime
• Assistance in filling out the many forms required for U nonimmigrant status
• Help bringing certain family members into the country with you
• Representation when facing legal obstacles on your immigration journey
• Help bridging language barriers
• Advice on whether to seek a U visa, T visa, or another nonimmigrant status

Immigration lawyers like Attorney Aaron Christensen will help you get the best results possible in your petition for U nonimmigrant status. Suffering from serious crimes can be terrifying and confusing. Many undocumented immigrants risk their lives and well-being to seek safety. Don’t take such risks without having a knowledgeable attorney on your side. Contact our law firm right away for help.

Should You Hire Our Houston U-Visa Lawyer?

If you or a loved one is the victim of serious crimes and is seeking to apply for a U visa, please reach out to our U visa lawyer for help. We can assist you with achieving lawful status after suffering from certain crimes that occurred in the U.S. or violated our nation’s laws.

Competition for the U visa is intense. Unlike VAWA visas, a yearly cap prevents many individuals from obtaining a U visa. If you are the victim of human trafficking, you may wish to pursue a T visa, which permits trafficking victims to live in the United States for up to four years. Both U and T visas can be helpful for individuals who are victims of certain crimes.

Please contact our experienced immigration attorney right away to get the protection you need. We promise to use our skills, honesty, knowledge, and experience to fight for your right to enter the U.S. with a U visa. We can also help you assist law enforcement in stopping the crimes so more victims don’t suffer the same fate.

Call 346-423-2375 immediately to learn how we can help in a free consultation. We offer services in Spanish, so you don’t need to worry about a language barrier. Call today!