California U Visa Lawyer

U Visa Lawyer

U-Visa Attorney, California

Being a victim of a criminal activity can be highly distressing. But when the crime takes place overseas, it makes things worse. If you are a victim of a serious crime in the United States and you want the crime investigated, you might be eligible for a U-visa. A U-visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa granted to victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and are willing to assist the government investigate the crime. It works as a savior for the victims and allows them to work and eventually live permanently in the United States of America under certain conditions. A U-visa allows the applicants to stay and work in the U.S. for four years and, after three years, will make you eligible to apply for permanent residence. You will also have to add your spouse and children to your visa to ensure their safety. At Sidman Law Group, we have a set of skilled and experienced U-visa attorneys in California. As experienced U-visa lawyers, our team has helped many crime victims identify their potential to obtain U-visa.

So, if you’re having an insatiable curiosity to search the internet for “the best U visa lawyer near me,” reach out to us! If you have reason to believe you may be a potential U-visa recipient, our U visa immigration lawyer can offer you protection against deportation.

What Crimes Qualify For U Visa?

There are a number of qualifying crimes that fit under the U visa eligibility. If you are a foreign national who has suffered substantial harm due to physical or mental abuse, you are likely to be eligible for a U visa. Skim through the list below to identify if you have been the victim of any of these qualifying crimes:

• Abusive sexual contact

• Domestic violence

• Hostage

• Blackmail

• Incest

• Felonious assault

• Extortion abduction

• Murder

• Kidnapping

• Peonage

• Prostitution

• Perjury

• Involuntary servitude

• False imprisonment

• Genital female mutilation

• Felonious assault

• Sexual assault

• Slave trading

• Rape

• Sexual exploitation

• Torture

• Unlawful criminal restraint

• Trafficking

• Torture



The list mentioned shows the related crimes that can help you obtain a U-visa. In addition, even your illegal presence per the violation of immigration law in the U.S. cannot stop you from receiving the U-visa application. You will need to hire a U-visa attorney to gain in-depth insight into this legal process.

How To Prove Eligibility For U-Visa?

Certain situations make you eligible to apply for a U-visa, but none appear pleasant. Still, unfortunately, these are the only circumstances that make it possible for you to apply for a U-visa. In order to be eligible for a U-visa, you must be able to prove the following:

• Being a victim of any crime mentioned in the U-visa crime list

• Suffering from any sort of abuse as a consequence of a crime

• Being helpful to law enforcement authorities during the investigation of any qualifying crime

• Possession of useful Information regarding the qualifying crime

• Being the victim of any crime violated by the law of the U.S.




What Are The Documents Required For A U Visa Application?

Apart from establishing your eligibility for a U visa, you must also present supporting documents to complete the application process. The necessary documents include:

• A valid passport

• Your U visa application forms

• Passport-style photos

• Birth and marriage certificates of family members

• A police report showing you were a victim of one of the mentioned crimes

• Additional evidence of substantial physical and mental abuse




How To Apply For A U-Visa?

The method of applying for a U-visa starts with filing a petition and submitting the signed certificate known as USCIS Form 1-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification. Then the potential agency transfers I-915 to FORM I-981B. Then the evidence is gathered to identify the eligibility of the victim. Now, if you have a family member willing to work in the U.S., you must prepare form I-756. Then you will have to submit your petition and all the mandatory documents to the USCIS and wait for the scheduled interview with the USCIS. Filling out a U-visa application can be a complex process and will require help from a skillful U-visa lawyer. With an experienced U-visa lawyer, you will be able to build a strong case. Furthermore, to avoid the risk of deportation and streamline your application submission, you will need the help of a U visa attorney experienced in immigration court.

What Are The Benefits Of A U-Visa?

Applying for a U-visa status comes with a variety of benefits. Victims who can obtain a U-visa are eligible to stay in the U.S. till their visa is valid. They get the right in the country, such as a bank account opening, studying, getting a driving license, etc., but the list of advantages obtained by U-visa carries on:

• Getting work permit

• Ability to apply for permanent immigration

• You can accept a waiver

• Helps qualifying family members




Serving victims throughout California

Coping with a crime is pretty rough, but filing for a U visa can provide victims with some relief by getting them the justice they deserve. That said, you may not have the strength to do anything, let alone make your way through complicated paperwork. This is where we come in. Our California U visa attorneys have extensive knowledge of the visa application process. So, what are you waiting for? Talk to our U visa immigration lawyer for a free consultation and discuss your situation at 818-981-0352 or write us an email.

EB-1

Extraordinary Ability “First Preference”

As per the U.S. State Dept., employment-based immigration involves three categories: (1) People with extraordinary ability, meaning those who have reached a high level of acclaim and recognition in their fields; (2) outstanding professors and researchers on the path to tenure; and (3) executives or managers employed with multinational U.S.-based corporations.

EB-2

Exceptional Ability “Second Preference”

The EB-2 visa represents the so-called “second preference” under U.S. immigration law. There are two categories under the EB-2 visa: (1) Professionals who have an advanced degree (above and beyond the baccalaureate degree), or, in rarer instances, those who have only a baccalaureate degree but relevant experience in his or her field; and (2) those with “exceptional ability” in the arts and sciences or in business, as demonstrated by evidence.

EB-3

Employment-Based “Third Preference”

Available for skilled workers, professionals and unskilled workers (other workers). A labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required to become eligible.

EB-4

Employment-Based “Fourth Preference”

Available for ‘special immigrants’ including religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, broadcasters, G-4 International Organization or NATO-6 employees and their family members, armed forces members, Panama Canal Zone employees, certain physicians, Afghan and Iraqi Translators, Afghan and Iraqi nationals who have provided faith service in support of U.S. operations.

EB-5

Immigrant Investors “Fifth Preference”

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is designed around economic job growth. As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, entrepreneurs and their families may immigrate to the U.S. (and are green card eligible) provided that they meet two basic criteria: (1) Can invest in a commercial U.S. business (2) Can create or preserve 10 jobs for U.S. workers.