Victims of Crime

U-Visa & VAWA

What is a U-Visa?

Status U is reserved for victims of certain crimes that involve mental or physical abuse. It was created through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000.

The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of people, and other crimes while, at the same time, offer protection to victims of such crimes.

The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes.

Our office has helped nearly 100 hundred people with their U-Visa applications. Sadly, many immigrants are crime victims.

If an immigrant has fallen victim to robbery, assault, rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, blackmail, kidnapping and many other serious crimes, they may qualify for a U-Visa.

The visa has a ton of advantages. Recipients can be forgiven multiple entries without permission and prior crimes. U-Visa applicants can also include their spouse and children on their applications.

We have been incredibly successful in obtaining law enforcement certifications and we always help with this step as well as locating police reports. There is no time limit on this type of Visa. Even if you were a victim 20 years ago, you still may be eligible.

The Jaskot Law U-Visa Method

Our goal is to make sure that our clients get their status as quickly as possible. At the same time, we also want to make sure that the U-Visa is possible before clients spend their hard earned money. Accordingly, we charge a low payment for certification before we begin the U-Visa. After the certification is received, we can break up the U-Visa and the available waiver into two parts to make it more affordable.

VAWA

Some victims of domestic violence are eligible for a visa based on VAWA.

VAWA has a ton of advantages for applicants including its speed compared to other humanitarian visas. Unlike the U-Visa, there is also no requirement for a police report or a police signature.

The two critical criteria for VAWA is that the abuser was the victim’s spouse or child. The abuser also has to be a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.

Evidence is the key to winning a VAWA case and we know how to help you get your documents together in a compelling narrative. We work with therapists and other resources to help you get the assistance you need and strengthen your case.

The Power and Control wheel illustrates how many forms of abuse exist. Please let us help you understand if your case makes you eligible for VAWA.