In a letter dated April 12, 2024 the State Department and USCIS discuss "concerns about biometrics collection for applicants for T nonimmigrant status and petitioners for U nonimmigrant status abroad that resulted from COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns....
News reports indicate that some of the migrants trafficked to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will receive work permits, protection against removal and eligibility for U visas. See here , here , here and here .
NIJC, Dec. 19, 2023 "A group of noncitizens who have waited years for an initial review of their U visa applications is suing the U.S. government for failing to properly implement congressionally mandated processes which were created to alleviate the most...
USCIS, Aug. 11, 2023 "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to provide that USCIS may review and determine if a qualifying family member’s petition for U nonimmigrant status is bona fide, and if already...
OSHA, Feb. 13, 2023 "U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker today to sign a memorandum that gives the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to issue certifications...
Matt Adams writes: "Last month NWIRP and the Alaska Immigration Justice Project filed a class action challenging the USCIS policy requiring U visa applicants for adjustment of status to file a medical exam, form I-693, even though they are not subject to the...
Attorney Michael M. Shabani obtained this Dec. 16, 2022 AAO victory for his U visa client based on being the victim of the crime of perjury by disbarred attorney Douglas Howard Cooner. See , Cooner v. State , 272 So. 3d 206 (Ala. Crim. App. 2018) . - Michael...
JAMES BARRAGÁN, Texas Tribune, OCT. 13, 2022 "Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar on Thursday certified that 49 migrants who were flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last month were victims of a crime. The move clears a pathway for those...
ASISTA, Feb. 13, 2020 "Changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy were announced August 2, 2019 that create significant additional barriers for victims of crime who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of their...
María Ines Zamudio, Commercial Appeal, June 18, 2016 - "Wendy Sarai Palacios thought she'd struck a deal with someone she could trust — the U.S. government. She'd fearfully testify against the predatory smuggler who brought her into the country illegally...
May 16, 2016 letter to León Rodríguez Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - "We, the 307 undersigned organizations that work with or otherwise support immigrant survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, respectfully wish to bring to your...
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, Jan. 20, 2016 - "Only federal immigration officials can grant a U visa after a background check. Still, other police departments may be reluctant to certify applications because of politics, according to Jim Pasco, the executive director...
"The American Civil Liberties Union obtained a judgment Wednesday against Pinal County, Sheriff Paul Babeu and two Pinal County sheriff’s deputies on behalf of an Arizona woman who spent five days in the custody of immigration authorities after a Pinal County...
"Probably the most gratifying element of practicing immigration law is watching clients flourish. Obtaining immigration benefits, especially lawful permanent residency, often unleashes a wave of innovation and creativity . Less often, it produces a humanitarian...
"Anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant percentage of unauthorized immigrants are potentially eligible for some sort of immigration relief, but they either do not know it or are not able to pursue lawful immigration status for other reasons. However...