Los Angeles U Visa Attorney

If you are an undocumented immigrant that is a victim of a crime such as domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, or something else, you may be hesitant to go to the authorities for help for fear that you will be detained or deported from the country. Fortunately, there is hope for you in the form of a U Visa. By successfully applying for this Visa, you can be allowed to stay in the United States without penalty and assist law enforcement to investigate and persecute criminal abusers.

By hiring a qualified immigration lawyer, you can begin the process of obtaining this benefit and put yourself on the pathway of earning a green card. With years of proven experience and a unique perspective as a former immigrant and judge in India, our attorney Hari Heerekar can help you through the process and prepare all the necessary documentation and requirements for a successful application.

Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our helpful Los Angeles U Visa attorneys by dialing (213) 682-2338. We speak Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and Punjabi.

What is a U Visa & How Can It Help Me?

Criminals are notorious for targeting tourists, visitors, and undocumented immigrants for human trafficking and other serious crimes. Often, they get away with their wrongdoing because these foreign nationals fail to cooperate with law enforcement to report their crimes because of fear they will be forced to leave the country. 

The U Visa program was introduced and passed by Congress in October of 2000 in response to this fear to grant victims of crime protection so they can legally remain in the country and work with government officials and law enforcement to investigate criminals and bring them to justice. No matter what the victim’s native country is, by cooperating with police and detectives and providing valuable information to help capture and convict the criminal, the U Visa can provide the victim with a work permit to stay in the United States with the ability to apply for lawful permanent residence after three years and citizenship after five years, provided all legal requirements are met.

How to Qualify for the U Visa

As mentioned, the U Visa program is meant to protect foreign nationals that are victims of a crime from deportation and further harm or abuse by the criminal perpetrator. To be eligible to apply for the U Visa, certain criteria will have to be met. 

You can apply for a U Visa if you:

• Were a victim or a witness of a violent crime in the United States, which includes:
  • Sexual assault
  • Human trafficking
  • Domestic violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Extortion
  • Assault or torture
  • Blackmail 
• Possess information about the criminal activity
• Suffered physical or mental abuse from the crime
• Are willing to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution

A trusted U Visa immigration attorney can work with you and help you understand the eligibility requirements and determine whether you qualify. If you do, we can assist in assembling the necessary documentation to simplify the application process.

The U Visa Application Process

When applying for a U Visa, it would be wise to first seek out a trusted lawyer familiar with the process to guide you and to ensure to complete the application properly and increase your chances of being granted the provision. 

Some of the steps include:

• Assisting law enforcement with vital information regarding the qualifying crime so they can investigate, apprehend, and prosecute the alleged criminal in a court of law.
• Request a law enforcement certification proving you cooperated with law enforcement.
• Complete the U Visa application (Form DS-160) online or on a printed form. 
• Gather the required documents and submit them to the USCIS
• Wait for the review, approval, and processing of your Visa if granted or fulfill requests for further documentation and evidence.
• Upon final review, if all criteria were sufficiently met, your U Visa will be approved.

Let a Los Angeles U Visa Immigration Lawyer Provide You Assistance

Being a victim of a crime while being an undocumented immigrant can be traumatizing and may make you feel stuck and hopeless. However, with the help and hope a U Visa provides, you can have the courage to safely approach law enforcement about the crime so justice can prevail against the one who victimized you.

At The Law Office Of Hari Heerekar, our immigration attorneys can provide you with the legal assistance you need and help you throughout the application for your U Visa. We will guide you every step of the way so you can transition from an undocumented immigrant victim to a lawful permanent resident. Our staff is responsive, compassionate, and can speak a multitude of languages, so you can confidently talk with us in your native tongue. 

Contact us to schedule a free U Visa attorney consultation in Los Angeles. You can complete our simple online form or call us at (213) 682-2338.