LA VISA U - National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers

Transcripción

La Visa U: Protección migratoria a las víctimas inmigrantes Taller de Educación Judicial Continua (EJC) 2013 National Lawyers Guild Convention San Juan, Puerto Rico Viernes 25 octubre 2013 1:45 – 3:00pm LISTA MAESTRA DE MATERIALES
Disponibles en línea: http://nationalimmigrationproject.org
Presentación y artículo de práctica legal (folleto y USB)
1. PowerPoint: La Visa U: Protección migratoria a las víctimas inmigrantes (De León,
Robles)
2. Artículo: Representing noncitizen victims of domestic violence and trafficking in removal
proceedings and after the issuance of final orders (Dinnerstein) (en inglés)
(sólo USB)
Identificando la violencia doméstica y sexual
3. Cuestionario para entrevista cliente: Tipos de abuse doméstica
4. Cuestionario: ¿Quieres saber si sufres de maltrato por parte de tu pareja?
El sufrimiento de la víctima
5. Guía para cartas de apoyo o servicios prestados a personas con casos frente al servicio
de inmigración
6. Guide for crime victim advocates and counselors (ASISTA) (en inglés)
La declaración de la victima
7. Guía: Cómo organizar su declaración de Visa U (en párrafos)
8. Guía: Cómo organizar su declaración de Visa U (usando preguntas)
La certificación de agencias del orden público/ el Suplemento B
9. Artículo: Winning U Visas: Getting the Law Enforcement Certification (Pendleton,
Lexis/Nexis, 2008) (en inglés; reproducido con permiso de la autora)
10. Hoja informativa del servicio de inmigración: Certifying U Nonimmigrant Status
(USCIS, 2007) (en inglés)
Preparando la solicitud número I-918
11. Cuestionario para la visa U - solicitante principal
12. Documentos para tramitar la visa U
13. Muestra: Carta de apoyo (general) (en inglés)
Preparando la solicitud de la familia de la víctima / el Suplemento A
14. Cuestionario para la visa U – miembro de familia
Los formularios para la visa U son numerosos (I-918, I-918A, I-918B, I-192, I-929, etc.)
Las versiones más recientes están disponibles en la página web de USCIS (servicio de
inmigración): http://uscis.gov
1
Slide 1 LA VISA U
Protección migratoria
a las víctimas inmigrantes
25 octubre 2013
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Susana De León y Angel R. Robles
Copatrocinado por
la Comisión sobre los Derechos de l@s Inmigrantes
CAPR
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Slide 2 Propósito
•
Proveer las herramientas necesarias para identificar a quién califica
para remedios migratorios para víctimas de crímenes en EE.UU.,
con enfoque en la violencia doméstica y sexual en comunidades
inmigrantes.
•
Brindar un vistazo general a los remedios legales para víctimas
inmigrantes de violencia de género, especialmente la visa U.
•
Proporcionar estrategias para recibir la certificación requerida bajo
la Ley de Inmigración de la agencia del orden público.
•
Responder a las preguntas sometidas por los participantes.
2012 © Angel R. Robles
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Slide 3 Primer Tema
La violencia doméstica y sexual
y la mujer inmigrante
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Slide 4 Barreras para reportar la violencia sexual y
doméstica en comunidades inmigrantes
MIEDO A LA DEPORTACION MIEDO A LA PERDIDA DE
PRIVACIDAD
SOBREVIVENCIA
ECONOMICA
MIEDO DE SER CULPADA
Y/O DE REPRESALIAS
BARRERAS DEL IDIOMA
FALTA DE INFORMACION
SOBRE EL SISTEMA LEGAL
RE-VIVIR EL TRAUMA
MIEDO A PERDER EL
APOYO DE LA COMUNIDAD
MIEDO A QUE LES QUITEN
SUS HIJOS
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Slide 5 Dinámicas de la Violencia Doméstica en
Comunidades Inmigrantes
 Definición de Violencia Doméstica
 Modelo de conductas
abusivas continuas
 Física
 Psicológica
 Emocional
 Verbal
 Usada por una persona para ejercer poder y
control sobre otra persona
Texto reproducido con el permiso de
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Slide 6 Tácticas de Poder y Control Usadas
en contra de Inmigrantes Maltratados
 Intimidación
 Abuso Emocional
 Abuso Económico
 Aislación
 Abuso Sexual
 Uso de los Privilegios
de la Ciudadanía o la
Residencia
 Actos por la fuerza y
Amenazas
 Uso de los Hijos
 Minimización, Negación
y Culpa
Reproducido con el permiso de
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Slide 7 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Slide 8 Algunos tipos de violencia sexual
• Cualquier persona puede ser víctima de violencia sexual, sea hombre,
mujer, o niño/a.
• La violencia sexual incluye—
 El abuso sexual infantil.
 El incesto.
 El abuso sexual de personas de mayor edad.
 El acoso sexual.
 La violación (incluida la violación entre pareja).
 Actos de venta o explotación de la sexualidad de una persona a
través de la amenaza, la presión o la coerción aplicadas por otra
persona, independientemente de la relación de dicha persona con
la víctima.
© EXISTE AYUDA Toolkit, DOJ, Office for Victims of Crimes
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Slide 9 La víctima inmigrante e
indocumentada
•
•
Las mujeres inmigrantes son vulnerables a la explotación sexual
porque los agresores piensan que no reportarán el crimen a la
policía. Las víctimas son frecuentemente amenazadas por el
agresor en ser deportadas si buscan ayuda y erróneamente creen
las amenazas.
Pueden sufrir la violencia sexual al ser—
 Acosadas sexualmente en su trabajo.
 Atrapadas en la trata de personas y obligadas a la prostitución.
 Violadas durante el proceso de cruzar la frontera por guardias
fronterizos, policías, otros refugiados, o “polleros” (“coyotes”).
 Obligadas a pagar con favores sexuales los supuestos costos
de cruzar la frontera.
 Víctimas de la violencia sexual por la pareja.
© EXISTE AYUDA Toolkit, DOJ, Office for Victims of Crimes
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Slide 10 EJERCICIO #1
a. Ana viene a una consulta porque su esposo
le dijo que no continuará con su petición de
visa para conyugue y se quedará con los
hijos si la deportan.
– Que preguntas seria bueno hacer a Ana?
b. Boris viene a una consulta porque es
residente permanente condicional y su
esposa ciudadana le es infiel.
– Podría Boris ser víctima de violencia doméstica?
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Slide 11 Segundo Tema
Vistazo general a protecciones
migratorias para victimas inmigrantes
y
La Visa “U”
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Slide 12 Vistazo general a protecciones
migratorias para victimas inmigrantes
• VAWA
– auto-petición para espos@s e hij@s de ciudadanos y residentes
permanentes, cancelación de expulsión, excepción (perdón)
para residentes condicionales abusadas, auto-petición para
padres de ciudadanos
• Estado de Inmigrante Juvenil Especial (SIJS): niños
abandonados, abusados, o descuidados
• La visa T: la trata de personas
• Asilo por motivo de violencia de género
• Permisos de trabajo para espos@s abusados de
personas con ciertas visas temporales
• La visa U: víctimas de ciertos crímenes
8 USC 1101(a)(15)(U)
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Slide 13 Victims of Trafficking & Violence
Prevention Act (VTVPA)
La Visa “U”
8 USC 1101(a)(15)(U)
Protección y beneficios de inmigración para víctimas de ciertos crímenes.
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Slide 14 Propósito congresional de la visa U
• Para reforzar la
capacidad de las
agencias del orden
público para detectar,
investigar y procesar
crímenes contra víctimas
inmigrantes.
• Para proporcionar alivio
humanitario a esas
víctimas de crimen y
miembros de la familia.
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Slide 15 Importante
Los familiares de las víctimas
• Las víctimas que solicitan estatus a través
la visa U pueden incluir en la solicitud a
sus familiares en los EEUU y en el
extranjero. 8 USC 1101(a)(15)(U)(ii)
– Espos@s
– Hij@s
– Herman@s (de víctimas menores)
– Padres (de víctimas menores)
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Slide 16 Tabla de Referencia Expreso* • Inmigrantes Víctimas de Crímenes • Elegibilidad Para Visas U
*No considera o discute las consecuencias migratorias de delitos o crímenes cometidos por la víctima.
•
•
Víctimas indirectas: familiares
de la victima (cónyuges, niños
solteros menores de 21 años).
de personas menores de 21
(padres y hermanos menores
de 18 años).
Guardianes (legales o no) de
víctimas incompetentes,
discapacitados, o menores de
16 años (guardián tiene que
figurar dentro de la querella).
Testigos de la actividad criminal
que son víctimas de amenazas,
obstrucción de justicia, por parte
de la persona que comete el
crimen o sus agentes.
Beneficios
 Beneficiario: Visa U por 4 años y permiso de empleo. Luego de 3 años con la visa U, la
víctima puede solicitar la Residencia Permanente (LPR por sus siglas en Inglés).
 Estado / agencia orden público: Herramienta de persuasión para la cooperación del
testigo/víctima. Si el testigo o víctima se rehúsa a cooperar o mintió, se retira apoyo al
beneficiario y la visa será retirada por Inmigración.
 Menores: NO necesitan testificar o ayudar. No se les puede retirar la visa U.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
También, algunas personas
pueden calificar si son víctimas
cercanas y sufren daño físico
inusual, como por ejemplo si
una mujer pierde su embarazo
como consecuencia del crimen
presenciado.
Cuándo
Solicitar
Siempre que se pueda conseguir una Certificación Oficial (Formulario I-918B) firmada por la
Policía, o el Fiscal, o el Juez, o el Departamento de Familia (como la división de protección de
menores), o el Departamento del Trabajo, o la División de Igualdad en el Empleo (EEOC) o su
versión estatal sin importar que sea una división civil. La I-918 es válida por 180 días.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cualquier víctima directa de un
crimen enumerado en la lista de
crímenes incluidos, con
información sobre esa actividad
criminal en particular que no
sea coautor del delito.
Cooperación
con
autoridades
podría ayudar (cualquiera de éstas y no cada una) durante cualquier etapa de
una investigación criminal o proceso legal.
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
Contacto Sexual (Abusivo)
Demora en Examen del
Arrestado - Art.171
Esclavitud
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Obstrucción de la Justicia
Perjurio
Secuestro
Restricción ilegal de libertad
Trata de esclavos
Ser Utilizado Como Peón
Violación Sexual
Violencia Doméstica
Mutilación de Genitales
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
Prostitución
Servidumbre Involuntaria
Ser Usado Como Rehén
Acecho
Fraude en contratos de trabajos
de extranjeros
Cualquier crimen donde los
elementos son similares a
cualquiera de los delitos arriba
mencionados.
Ser víctima de una conspiración,
incitación, o atentado de
cualquiera de estos crímenes.
Evidencia
 Tiene que presentar una certificación firmada al respecto: Formulario I-918(B).
•
•
•
•
•
•
Quien puede solicitar
 La víctima TIENE que demostrar que (a) ha ayudado, (b) esta ayudando, o (c)
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
3. Han (a)
ayudado, o (b)
están
ayudando, o (c)
podrían ayudar
(Solo una y no
cada una de las
anteriores)
durante una
investigación
criminal o
proceso legal, y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
Crímenes incluidos
Abuso mental o físico substancial . Querella policía. Archivos médicos (si aplica).
Recortes de periódicos. Certificación de cooperación de oficial designado.
Requisitos
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•
de 18 años).
Beneficios
•
presenciado.
Cuándo
Solicitar
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cooperación
con
autoridades
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
Arrestado - Art.171
Esclavitud
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Perjurio
Secuestro
Trata de esclavos
Violación Sexual
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
Prostitución
Acecho
de extranjeros
mencionados.
Evidencia
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
3. Han (a)
ayudado, o (b)
están
ayudando, o (c)
podrían ayudar
(Solo una y no
cada una de las
anteriores)
durante una
investigación
criminal o
proceso legal, y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
Crímenes incluidos
Requisitos
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•
de 18 años).
Beneficios
•
presenciado.
Cuándo
Solicitar
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cooperación
con
autoridades
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
Arrestado - Art.171
Esclavitud
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Perjurio
Secuestro
Trata de esclavos
Violación Sexual
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
Prostitución
Acecho
de extranjeros
mencionados.
Evidencia
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
3. Han (a)
ayudado, o (b)
están
ayudando, o (c)
podrían ayudar
(Solo una y no
cada una de las
anteriores)
durante una
investigación
criminal o
proceso legal, y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
Crímenes incluidos
Requisitos
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•
de 18 años).
Beneficios
•
presenciado.
Cuándo
Solicitar
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cooperación
con
autoridades
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
Arrestado - Art.171
Esclavitud
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Perjurio
Secuestro
Trata de esclavos
Violación Sexual
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
Prostitución
Acecho
de extranjeros
mencionados.
Evidencia
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
3. Han (a)
ayudado, o (b)
están
ayudando, o (c)
podrían ayudar
(Solo una y no
cada una de las
anteriores)
durante una
investigación
criminal o
proceso legal, y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
Crímenes incluidos
Requisitos
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Quién Puede Solicitar:
Cuándo
Solicitar
• Beneficiario tiene que ser admisible a EE.UU. o ser elegible
para un “Waiver” (perdón).
están ayudando,
o (c) podrían
ayudar durante
la investigación
criminal o
proceso legal,
y
• Si• el Beneficiario entró sin visa, éste tiene que ser elegible
•
para
un “Waiver” bajo INA § 212(d)(3) y/o (d)(14) (Form I-192,
•
4. La actividad
•
Application
for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant).
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
•
•
•
Beneficios
.
LPR si califica. Incentivar a las comunidades inmigrantes a combatir el crimen.
 Estado / agencia orden público: herramienta de persuasión para la cooperación
del testigo/víctima. Si el testigo o víctima se rehúsa a cooperar, se puede retirar
apoyo al beneficiario y la visa será retirada por inmigración (4 años para actuar).
3. Han (a)
ayudado, (b)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
crimen enumerado en la lista
Amenaza de Testigos
de crímenes incluidos, con
Agresión Sexual
información sobre esa
actividad criminal en particular
Demora en Examen del Arrestado
que no sea coautor del delito.
- Art.171
Esclavitud
También:
Explotación Sexual
• Algunas personas pueden
Extorsión
calificar si son víctimas
Incesto
Perjurio
una mujer pierde su
Secuestro
embarazo
como
REQUISITOS
DE ADMISIBILIDAD
consecuencia del crimen
Trata de esclavos
presenciado.
• Familiares inmediatos de la
Violación Sexual
victima (cónyuges, niños
• Víctimas indirectas: familiares
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
de 18 años).
Prostitución
• Guardianes (legales o no) de
• Testigos que son víctima de
mencionados.
amenazas, obstrucción de
justicia, por parte de la
persona que comete el crimen
o sus agentes.
Cooperación
con
autoridades
 Beneficiario: Visa U por 4 años y permiso de empleo. Al 3er año puede solicitar
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evidencia
Recortes de periódicos. Certificación de cooperación del oficial autorizado.
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
Quién puede solicitar
Siempre y cuando se pueda conseguir una certificación oficial.
Crímenes incluidos
La víctima TIENE que demostrar que (a) ha ayudado, (b) esta ayudando, o
(c) posiblemente ayudará (cualquiera de éstas) durante cualquier etapa
de una investigación criminal o proceso legal. Tiene que presentar
una certificación firmada y sellada al respecto.
Requisitos
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ayudar durante
la investigación
criminal o
proceso legal,
y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cuándo
Solicitar
Beneficios
Asesinato
.
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
- Art.171
Esclavitud
También:
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Perjurio
una mujer pierde su
Secuestro
embarazo como
Trata de esclavos
presenciado.
Violación Sexual
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
de 18 años).
Prostitución
• Cartas dediscapacitados,
certificación
de de
servicios son mucho más útiles
o menores
si especifican
los servicios ofrecidos y la determinación o
• Testigos
son víctima de que ofreció los servicios.
conclusión
del que
profesional
mencionados.
o sus agentes.
Evidencia de abuso mental o físico substancial.
están ayudando,
o (c) podrían
Cooperación
con
autoridades
3. Han (a)
ayudado, (b)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evidencia
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
Crímenes incluidos
• Querella Policía o Denuncia.
• Certificación de cooperación del oficial autorizado
(Formulario I-918 Suplemento B).
• Archivos médicos y fotos (lo que aplique).
• Recortes de periódicos.
• Evaluaciones psicológicas.
Requisitos
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 22
Requisitos
Crímenes incluidos
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
Cooperación
con
autoridades
Cuándo
Solicitar
Beneficios
durante cualquier etapa de la investigación criminal o proceso
legal, presentando una certificación firmada al respecto
(Formulario I-918 Suplemento B).
Cualquiera &
Individualmente
(a) ha ayudado, o
(b) esta ayudando, o
(c) posiblemente ayudaría,
Solicitante TIENE que demostrar que es víctima y:
Asesinato
.
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
- Art.171
• Esclavitud
También:
2. Poseen
• Explotación Sexual
información
• Extorsión
sobre esa
• Incesto
actividad
• Obstrucción de la Justicia
criminal en
• Perjurio
una mujer pierde su
particular,
• Secuestro
embarazo como
• Restricción ilegal de libertad
3. Han (a)
• Trata de esclavos
presenciado.
ayudado, (b)
• Ser Utilizado Como Peón
están ayudando,
• Violación Sexual
o (c) podrían
• Violencia Doméstica
ayudar durante
la investigación • Mutilación de Genitales
(Femeninos)
criminal o
• Trafico de Humanos
proceso legal,
• Tortura
de 18 años).
y
• Prostitución
4. La actividad
• Servidumbre Involuntaria
criminal ocurrió • Ser Usado Como Rehén
en los Estados
• Cualquier crimen donde los
Unidos o sus
elementos
son
similares
a
figurar dentro de lacon
querella).
“AUTORIDADES” = Toda entidad gubernamental
capacidad para investigar cualquier
territorios, o
situación que
envuelva
el
delito
enumerado
la solicitud
(Formulario I-918 Suplemento B)
simplemente
mencionados.
amenazas, en
obstrucción
de
viola las
leyes
de la visa• U.
de los Estados
Unidos.
o sus agentes.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evidencia
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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ayudar durante
la investigación
criminal o
proceso legal,
y
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
También:
una mujer pierde su
embarazo como
presenciado.
de 18 años).
o sus agentes.
Cuándo
Solicitar
Beneficios
.
Siempre y cuando se pueda conseguir una certificación
oficial por parte de la Policía (superior del agente a cargo de
la investigación, o el Fiscal del caso, o el Juez, o por parte del
Departamento de la Familia (como la división de Protección de
Menores), o el Departamento del Trabajo, o la División de
Igualdad en el Empleo (EEOC) o su versión estatal sin importar
que sea una división civil. La I-918 es válida por 180 días.
están ayudando,
o (c) podrían
Cooperación
con
autoridades
3. Han (a)
ayudado, (b)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Asesinato
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
- Art.171
Esclavitud
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
Perjurio
Secuestro
Trata de esclavos
Violación Sexual
(Femeninos)
Trafico de Humanos
Tortura
Prostitución
mencionados.
Evidencia
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
Crímenes incluidos
Requisitos
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 24
Requisitos
4. La actividad
criminal ocurrió
en los Estados
Unidos o sus
territorios, o
simplemente
viola las leyes
de los Estados
Unidos.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beneficios
ayudar durante
la investigación
criminal o
proceso legal,
y
Cuándo
Solicitar
Asesinato
.
Agresión Agravada
Amenaza de Testigos
Agresión Sexual
- Art.171
Esclavitud
También:
Explotación Sexual
Extorsión
Incesto
cercanas
y sufren
físico
Beneficiario: Visa U por
4 años
y daño
permiso
de empleo. Luego de 3 años
con
la
visa
U,
la
víctima
solicitar
la Residencia Permanente (LPR
Perjurio
unapuede
mujer pierde
su
Secuestro
embarazo como
por sus siglas en Inglés).
Trata de esclavos
presenciado.
Estado / agencia ordenvictima
público:
Herramienta de persuasión para la
Violación Sexual
(cónyuges, niños
Violencia
Doméstica del testigo/víctima.
solteros menores Si
de 21
cooperación
elaños).
testigo o víctima se rehúsa a
cooperar
o
mintió,
se
retira
apoyo
y la visa será retirada
(Femeninos)
de personas menoresal
debeneficiario
21
Trafico
Humanos
por de
Inmigración.
Tortura
de 18 años).
Prostitución
incompetentes,
Menores: NO necesitanvíctimas
testificar
o ayudar. No se les puede retirar la
Cualquier
crimen
donde
los
visa U.
mencionados.
o sus agentes.
están ayudando,
o (c) podrían
Cooperación
con
autoridades
3. Han (a)
ayudado, (b)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
evidencia
2. Poseen
información
sobre esa
actividad
criminal en
particular,
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Han sufrido
abuso físico o
mental
substancial a
causa de
actividad
criminal,
Crímenes incluidos
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_____________________________________________________________________________________ 25
Slide 25 EJERCICIO #2
• Alicia ha estado asistiendo a grupos de
apoyo durante los últimos tres meses. Su
abusador esta en la cárcel por delito de
drogas. Inmigración arrestó a su abusador y
como ella estaba en la casa la arrestaron
también.
• Alicia te cuenta que la noche que su
abusador fue arrestado, los vecinos llamaron
a la policía porque la escucharon gritar y
llorar. Cuando la policía vino, encontraron
drogas en la mesa y lo arrestaron.
– Podría Alicia calificar para una U visa?
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Slide 26 Flexibilidad y Entendimiento
Abramos la puerta,
pero no obliguemos a entrar.
La ayuda a víctimas de violencia no puede sustituir a
un abusador (pareja) por otro (el estado).
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Slide 27 Certificación para la Visa “U”
La Base
De Una Solicitud Exitosa
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Slide 28 Certificación para la Visa “U”
•
•
•
•
En general: es la prueba clave del caso
¿Quién puede firmar?
¿Quién es el mejor mensajero?
Estrategias al nivel local (Ej., Resolución
de Oakland, California)
• En Puerto Rico
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Slide 29 ¿Quién puede firmar?
8 USC 1184(p)(1); 8 CFR 214.14(c)(2)(i))
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agente de la Policía
Fiscal
Juez
Oficial de DHS
Cualquier Agencia Estatal o Federal si parte de su
trabajo consiste en investigar crímenes sin importar que
sea una división civil
Departamento de la Familia (como la división de
Protección de Menores)
Departamento del Trabajo
División de Igualdad en el Empleo (EEOC)
Otros?
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Slide 30 ¿Quién es el mejor “mensajero”
para capacitar y/o pedir la certificación?
Formar un equipo de colaboradores entre
víctimas, consejer@s, intercesor@s,
abogad@s, agencias, etc.
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Slide 31 Oakland City Council Resolution
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Slide 32 Preguntas y Respuestas
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Slide 33 Recursos
Teléfonos
Línea Nacional para la Violencia Doméstica
Llame al 1-800-799-7233 o (TTY) 1-800-787-3224
Línea Nacional para la Agresión Sexual
Llame al 1-800-656-4673
Páginas web
http://womenslaw.org (español / inglés)
http://asistahelp.org
http://immigrationadvocates.org
Guías / Manuales
U Visa Law Enforcement Certification Resource Guide by DHS
Empowering Survivors: Legal Rights of Immigrant Victims of Sexual
Assault
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Reprinted with express permission of authors. Chapter originally prepared for Defending Immigration Removal Proceedings (2013), New York City
and live webcast, Practicing Law Institute, www.pli.edu.
Representing vulnerable immigrants, Jennifer Anzardo, Julie E. Dinnerstein, Deborah
Lee and Kathleen Slocum, attorneys at Sanctuary for Families (revised from
Representing noncitizen victims of domestic violence and trafficking in removal
proceedings and after the issuance of final orders, Julie E. Dinnerstein and Kathleen
Slocum)
Introduction
This article for practitioners will identify six basic forms of immigration relief
sought by noncitizen victims of domestic violence, trafficking, sexual assault, child
abuse, child abandonment and related harms—U nonimmigrant status,* T nonimmigrant
status, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions, * VAWA cancellation,
battered spouse and child waivers and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. The article will
include a review how a noncitizen seeks one or more of these forms of relief while in
removal proceedings as well as how one seeks one or more of these forms of relief after
the issuance of a final order. As the focus will be on persons currently facing removal
proceedings or the execution of final orders, options for petitioners, applicants and their
derivative beneficiaries currently outside the United States will be given only cursory
attention.
U nonimmigrant status
U nonimmigrant status is an immigration status generally granted for four years
which allows a person to live and work in the United States. Certain close family
members may be granted U nonimmigrant status as derivative beneficiaries. A person in
U nonimmigrant status (whether as principal or derivative) or may apply for lawful
permanent resident status after three years in such status. Up to 10,000 grants of U
nonimmigrant status may be made per year to principal U petitioners.
Victims of certain criminal activities who cooperate with the investigation or
prosecution of such criminal activities and have suffered substantial harm as a result of
such criminal activities may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status.
U nonimmigrant status: Relevant statutory and regulatory provisions
The most relevant statutes relating to U nonimmigrant status and related filings
include:
 INA §101(a)(15)(U) (U eligibility)
 INA §212(d)(14) (available waivers of inadmissibility)
 INA §214(p) (additional U eligibility information)
 INA §245(l)(7) (fee waiver statute);
 INA §245(m) (green card applications)
At the time that this article goes to print, the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed
competed bills amending the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) with respect to options available to
immigrant victims of domestic violence and other crimes. See S 1925 (Title VIII) and HR 4970 (Title VIII).
Readers are advised to determine whether either bill or similar legislation has become law and to note that new
legislation would supersede information provided within this article.
*
35
The most relevant regulations relating to U nonimmigrant status and related
filings include:
 8 CFR §103.7(b) (fees)
 8 CFR §103.7(c) (fee waiver regulations);
 8 CFR §212.17 (waivers of inadmissibility);
 8 CFR §214.14 (U nonimmigrant status eligibility and filing regulations);
 8 CFR §274a.12(a)(19) & (a)(20) (Employment Authorization Documents
(EADs))
 8 CFR §245.24 (green card applications)
U nonimmigrant status: Jurisdiction
“USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] has sole jurisdiction over all
petitions for U nonimmigrant status.” 8 CFR §214.14(c)(1). Similarly, the statute makes
clear that only [t]he Secretary of Homeland Security may adjust the status of” a
noncitizen in U nonimmigrant status. INA §245(m).
U nonimmigrant status: Criteria for eligibility
Noncitizens are eligible for U nonimmigrant status if they (1) are victims of
qualifying criminal activity; (2) suffer substantial harm as a result of the criminal activity;
(3) have information about the criminal activity and (4) cooperate with the investigation
or prosecution of the criminal activity committed against them. Each of these criteria is
explored in more detail below.
Victim of criminal activity
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(U)(iii), a U nonimmigrant status petition may be
based on being a victim (as opposed to a witness or by-stander) of an attempt or the
successful commission of “criminal activity . . . involving one or more of the following or
any similar activity in violation of Federal, State, or local criminal law:
 rape;
 torture;
 trafficking;
 incest
 domestic violence;
 sexual assault;
 abusive sexual contact;
 prostitution;
 sexual exploitation;
 female genital mutilation;
 being held hostage;
 peonage;
 involuntary servitude;
 slave trade;
 kidnapping;
 abduction;
 unlawful criminal restraint;
36









false imprisonment;
blackmail;
extortion;
manslaughter;
murder;
felonious assault;
witness tampering;
obstruction of justice; or
perjury”
INA §101(a)(15)(U)(iii)( bullet points added).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) elaborates on the meaning of
the term “victim” at 8 CFR §214.14(a)(14).
Substantial harm
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(U)(i)(I), the noncitizen must have “suffered
substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of being a victim of [the qualifying]
criminal activity.” Further clarification re the meaning of the phrase “substantial physical
or mental abuse” is provided in the regulations at 8 CFR §214.14(b)(1)( bullet points
added):
Whether abuse is substantial is based on a number of factors, including but not
limited to:
 The nature of the injury inflicted or suffered;
 the severity of the perpetrator’s conduct;
 the severity of the harm suffered;
 the duration of the infliction of the harm; and
 the extent to which there is permanent or serious harm to the appearance,
health, or physical or mental soundness of the victim, including aggravation of
pre-existing conditions.
No single factor is a prerequisite to establish that the abuse suffered was
substantial. Also, the existence of one or more of the factors automatically does
not create a presumption that the abuse suffered was substantial. A series of acts
taken together may be considered to constitute substantial physical or mental
abuse even where no single act alone rises to that level.
Information and cooperation with the government
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(U)(i)(II) and (III), the noncitizen must have
information regarding the criminal activity and be helpful to the investigation or the
prosecution of the criminal activity. (Where the noncitizen is under 16 at the time of the
crime or is otherwise incapacitated, a guardian or next friend can provide the information
and cooperation.)
Pursuant to INA §214(p)(1) a U nonimmigrant status petition must “contain a
certification from a Federal, State, or local law enforcement official, prosecutor, judge, or
37
other Federal, State, or local authority investigating [qualifying] criminal activity.”
Unlike the T nonimmigrant status petition, there is no exception to the requirement of law
enforcement certification.
Under 8 CFR §214.14(a)(3), there are three kinds of officials whose certifications
are acceptable:
 head of certifying agency;
 designated supervisor from certifying agency; or
 judge
8 CFR§214.14(c)(2) requires certification must be submitted on a U
Nonimmigrant Status Certification on Form I-918, Supplement B within six months of
the date of signature of the certifying official.
Grounds of inadmissibility
While U nonimmigrant status petitioners are subject to virtually all grounds of
inadmissilbity under INA §212(a), all grounds other than INA §212(a)(3)(E) may be
waived pursuant to INA §212(d)(14). That said, pursuant to 8 CFR §212.17, USCIS
purports to narrow the broad statutory waiver and, in practice, denies waivers relating to a
number of criminal grounds of inadmissibility without a sufficient showing of
rehabilitation. Inadmissibility waivers are filed on Form I-192.
Lack of current immigration status
A noncitizen without current immigration status may petition for U nonimmigrant
status. INA §248(b).
U nonimmigrant status: Derivative family members
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(U)(15)(U)(ii)(I), U nonimmigrant status petitioners
who are 20 years old or younger on the date of application may petition for the following
derivative family members:
 parents;
 spouse;
 unmarried siblings under 17 years old or younger; and
 children.
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(U)(15)(U)(ii)(II), U nonimmigrant status petitioners
who are 21 years old or older on the date of application may petition for the following
 spouse; and
 children.
Note that at the time of this writing, USCIS has not articulated a definitive policy
with respect to the point in the petitioning process at which a potential derivative child’s
age is determined so as to meet the definition of the term “child” (which must be under
21, pursuant to the definition of child at INA §101(b)(1)), bur rather, USCIS’ policy has
been in constant flux. At the time this article goes to print, this issue, generally referred
38
to as an “age-out” issue, is the subject of litigation. See Clarke, et. al. v. Napolitano, et.
al., 11-CV-5395 (filed Nov. 3, 2011, E.D.N.Y.), Gregg, et. al. v. Napolitano, et. al., 12CV-2585 (filed May 22, 2012, E.D.N.Y.). Bills from the House and the Senate would
add a new paragraph, INA §214(p)(7), which would fix the age of the potential child
derivative beneficiary as of the date the parent petition for U nonimmigrant status. See S.
1925, § 805; HR 4970, § 810.
A family member who committed the qualifying crime cannot be a derivative 8
CFR §214.14(f)(1).
Eligibility for derivative family members is detailed further at 8 CFR §214.14(f).
U nonimmigrant status: Employment Authorization
Those granted U nonimmigrant status are employment authorized incident to
status. 8 CFR §214.14(c)(7); 8 CFR §274a12(a)(19). As explained under 8 CFR
§214.14(c)(7), “USCIS automatically will issue an initial Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) to” a noncitizen granted U-1 nonimmigrant status as a principal U
petitioner.
Noncitizens granted derivative U nonimmigrant status are also eligible for
employment authorization incident to status. 8 CFR §274a12(a)(20). However,
derivatives must file for EADs by separate application (which may be filed
simultaneously with the filing of the Form I-918, Supplement A, if in the US) on Form I765. 8 CFR §214.14(f)(7).
At the time of this writing, derivative children in the United States whose parents
have petitioned for derivative U-3 status for them but whose petitions for such status
remain unadjudicated because the derivatives have turned 21 during the pendency of the
petitions are granted deferred action if they are not in removal proceedings. Similarly,
where USCIS is ready to approve a petition for U nonimmigrant status, but cannot do so
until October 1st of the following fiscal year because more than 10,000 principals’ U
petitions have been approved in the current fiscal year, USCIS will grant deferred action
to both principal and any associated derivatives who are in the United States and not in
removal proceedings. Employment Authorization is available to such persons under 8
CFR §274a12(c)(14).
Finally, note that while USCIS “may grant work authorization to any alien who
has a pending, bona fide application for [U] nonimmigrant status” pursuant to INA
§214(p)(6), USCIS has never exercised its option to do so.
U nonimmigrant status: Lawful permanent resident status
Pursuant to INA §245(m)(3), 8 CFR §245.24, noncitizens in U nonimmigrant
status, both principals and derivatives, may apply for adjustment of status if they meet the
following criteria:
 they have been continuous physical presence in U nonimmigrant status (INA
§245(m)(3)(1)(A));
39



they are not inadmissible under INA §212(a)(3)(E) (INA §245(m)(3));
they have not “unreasonably refused to provide assistance in a criminal
investigation or prosecution” (INA §245(m)); and
their “continued presence in the United States is justified on humanitarian
grounds, to ensure family unity, or is otherwise in the public interest.” (INA
§245(m)(3)(1)(B)).
Derivative family members granted U nonimmigrant status for a period of less
than three years (because they obtained U nonimmigrant status more than a year after the
principal U petitioner), may file to extend U nonimmigrant status in order to meet the
three years of continual presence in U nonimmigrant status requirement prior to filing for
adjustment. Such applications for the extension of status may be filed on Form I-539. 8
CFR §214.14(g)(2)
Pursuant to INA §245(m)(3) and 8 CFR §245.24(h), at the time of adjustment of
status, noncitizens in U nonimmigrant status may petition for certain derivative family
members were never granted U nonimmigrant visas upon the showing of extreme
hardship. U principals who are 21 or over at the time of adjustment may petition for their
spouses and children. U principals who are 20 or younger may only petition for their
parents (not their spouses, children or siblings). Such petitions are filed on Form I-929.
U nonimmigrant status: Current removal proceedings
As noted above, USCIS has exclusive jurisdiction over U nonimmigrant status
petitions. 8 CFR §214.14(c)(1) ( “USCIS has sole jurisdiction over all petitions for U
nonimmigrant status.”)
As is further explained at 8 CFR §214.14(c)(1)(i), a noncitizen “who is in removal
proceedings . . . or in exclusion or deportation proceedings who would like to apply for
U nonimmigrant status must file a Form I-918 directly with USCIS.”
While there is no statutory or regulatory bar preventing the continuation of
removal proceedings against a noncitizen who has petitioned for U nonimmigrant status,
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) counsel may agree, as a matter of
discretion, to file, at the request of the [noncitizen U] petitioner, a joint motion to
terminate proceedings without prejudice with the immigration judge or Board of
Immigration Appeals, whichever is appropriate, while a petition for U nonimmigrant
status is being adjudicated by USCIS.” 8 CFR §214.14(c)(1)(i).
Further guidance is provided in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
memo, from Peter S. Vincent, Principal Legal Advisor, addressed to the Office of
Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) Attorneys, with the subject heading “Guidance
Regarding U Nonimmigrant Status (U visa) Applicants in Removal Proceedings,” dated
September 25, 2009 (hereinafter, the “U Applicants in Removal Proceedings Memo”).
Specifically, the U Applicants in Removal Proceedings Memo outlines the following
policy:
If a [noncitizen] in removal proceedings states that he or she has filed a U visa
petition with USCIS, and provides proof of such filing, the OCC [Office of Chief
40
Counsel] shall request a continuance to allow USCIS to make a prima facie
determination. Once USCIS has determined that the alien has made a prima facie
prima facie case, the OCC should consider administratively closing the case or
seek to terminate proceedings pending final adjudication of the petition.” Id.
In sum, a noncitizen in removal proceedings files a U nonimmigrant status
petition with USCIS and, through counsel, should approach the local Office of Chief
Counsel to ask to join in a motion for administrative closure or to terminate proceedings.
Should the Office of Chief Counsel refuse, the noncitizen should seek a continuance.
A note of caution: as with all noncitizens, “[n]othing . . . prohibits USCIS from
instituting removal proceedings . . . for conduct committed after admission [in U
nonimmigrant status] for conduct committed after admission, for conduct or a condition
that was not disclosed to USCIS prior to the granting of U nonimmigrant status, for
misrepresentations of material facts in Form I-918 or Form I-918, Supplement A and
supporting documentation, or after revocation of U nonimmigrant status.” 8 CFR
§214.14(i).
U nonimmigrant status: Past orders
During pendency of U nonimmigrant status petition
Pursuant to INA §237(d), the Department of Homeland Security may grant a stay
of removal order during the pendency of a U nonimmigrant status petition. U petitioners
may file an Application for a Stay of Removal on Form I-246 with a fee or fee waiver
request with the local Office of Detention and Removal (DRO). (Note that although 8
CFR §103.7(c) does not indicate that fees for Form I-246 may be waived, that regulation
is superseded in relevant part by INA 245(l)(7).)
Guidance is provided to the DRO in a U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement memo, from David J. Venturella, Acting Director, addressed to Field Office
Directors (FOD), with the subject heading “Guidance: Adjudicating Stay Requests Filed
by U Nonimmigrant Status (U visa) Applicants,” dated September 24, 2009 (hereinafter,
the “Stay Requests from U Applicants Memo”).
Upon receipt of a request for a stay, the Stay Requests from U Applicants Memo
advises the following steps:

“[T]he local DRO [Deportation and Removal] office must contact its local
OCC [Office of Chief Counsel] to request a prima facie determination from
USCIS’s VSC [Vermont Service Center].

“DRO should allow USCIS a minimum of five business days to make a prima
facie determination. During this time, the FOD[Field Office Director] should
not deport or remove the noncitizen. . . . .”

The DRO should await a decision which will come as follows: “The VSC
will email the respective FDO Field Office Stay mailbox and the local OCC
point of contact with the results of the prima facie review or a copy of the
decision notice.”
41
According to the Stay Requests from U Applicants Memo, once USCIS makes a
prima facie determination, the Field Office Director “should view a Stay request
favorably, unless serious adverse factors exist.” These adverse factors are:
“(1)
national security concerns;
(2)
evidence that the [noncitizen] is a human rights violator;
(3)
evidence that the [noncitizen] has engaged in significant immigration
fraud;
(4)
evidence that the [noncitizen] has a significant criminal history; and
(5)
any significant public safety concerns.”
After grant of U nonimmigrant status petition
With respect to orders issued by the Department of Homeland Security—
generally expedited removal orders issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP)—these orders “will be deemed cancelled by operation of law as of the date of
USCIS’ approval of Form I-918.” 8 CFR §214.14(c)(5)(i). Similarly, for derivatives,
such an “order will be deemed cancelled by operation of law as of the date of USCIS’
approval of Form I-918, Supplement A.” 8 CFR §214.14(f)(6).
With respect to orders issued by an immigration judge of the Board of
Immigration Appeals, however, there is no automatic effect on the removal order which
may remain in place indefinitely. As there is no statutory ground for moving to reopen a
final order, the regulations provide the following advice:
A [noncitizen granted U nonimmigrant status as a petitioner or derivative
beneficiary] who is subject to an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal
issued by an immigration judge or the Board [of Immigration Appeals] may seek
cancellation of such order by filing, with the immigration judge or the Board, a
motion to reopen and terminate removal proceedings. ICE [Immigration and
Customs Enforcement] counsel may agree, as a matter of discretion, to join such a
motion to overcome any applicable time and numerical limitations. . . .
8 CFR §214.14(c)(5)(i) (U petitioners); 8 CFR §214.14(f)(6) (U derivatives)
In other words, a person in U nonimmigrant status may be in lawful
nonimmigrant status and also have a final removal order with no means of having the
order reopened and terminated or otherwise cancelled.
Most interestingly, a person who has been continuously present in U
nonimmigrant status may apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status while a final
removal order remains in place. However, USCIS has discontinued its prior practice of
granted lawful permanent resident status to those in removal proceedings or with final
orders of removal.
U nonimmigrant status: Filing procedures
42
Regardless of whether the U petitioner (or derivative beneficiary) is in removal
proceedings or has a final order or has never been in proceedings, all forms relating to U
nonimmigrant status and subsequent adjustment of status are filed at the following
address:
VAWA Unit
Vermont Service Center
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
75 Lower Weldon Street
St. Albans VT 05479
U nonimmigrant status petitions are free. See 8 CFR § 103.7(b). Fees for related
filings may be waived. See INA §245(l), 8 CFR § 103.7(c).
Filings for U nonimmigrant status include the following forms:
 Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status (required);
 Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification
(required);
 Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a
Nonimmigrant (for waiver of inadmissibility, if needed);
 Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented); and
 Relevant fees or fee waiver requests.
Filings for derivative beneficiaries of those petitioning for U nonimmigrant status
include the following forms:
 Form I-918, Supplement A, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of U1 Recipient (required);
 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
(if derivative is in the United States); and
Filings for adjustment of status for persons continually present in U nonimmigrant
status for at least three years and currently still in status:
 Form I-485, Adjustment of Status to that of Lawful Permanent Resident
Status (required);
 Form G-325A, Biographic Information (required);
 Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (in
sealed envelope) (required);
Filings for lawful permanent resident status for qualifying derivative family
members who have never been issued U visas and never been admitted in U
nonimmigrant status:;
43

Form I-929, petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1
Nonimmigrant (required) (prior to seeking lawful permanent resident
status);

After approval of Form I-929
o If adjusting status in the United States:
 Form I-485, Adjustment of Status to that of Lawful
Permanent Resident Status (required)
 Form G-325A, Biographic Information (required);
 Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and
Vaccination Record (in sealed envelope) (required);
 Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented); and
 Relevant fees or fee waiver requests.
o If consular processing from outside the United States
 Form DS-130, Application for Immigrant Visa
 Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and
Vaccination Record (in sealed envelope) (required);
 Notice of Agent (if represented)
 Relevant fees.
Any follow up questions or concerns (other than those relating to consular
processing, which should be addressed to the National Visa Center) should be addressed
directly to the VAWA Unit either by voicemail at (802) 527-4888 or email at
[email protected].
T nonimmigrant status
T non-immigrant status is an immigration status generally granted for four years
which allows a person to live and work in the United States. Certain close family
members may be granted T nonimmigrant status as derivative beneficiaries. A person in
T nonimmigrant status may apply for lawful permanent resident status after three years in
such status or at any time earlier if the trafficking investigation or prosecution that gave
rise to the T application is complete. Up to 5, 000 grants of T nonimmigrant status may
be made per year.
Noncitizen victims of a severe form of trafficking who are physically present in
the United States on account of such trafficking (or related government investigation or
prosecution), who have complied with reasonable requests for assistance in the
investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking (unless 17 or younger), and who would
suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm upon removal may be eligible
for T nonimmigrant status.
T nonimmigrant status: Relevant statutory and regulatory provisions
The most relevant statutes relating to T nonimmigrant status and related filings
include:
44





INA §101(a)(15)(T) (T eligibility);
INA §212(d)(13) (available waivers of inadmissibility);
INA §214(o) (additional T eligibility information);
INA §245(l)(7) (fee waiver statute); and
INA §245(l) (green card applications).
The most relevant regulations relating to T nonimmigrant status and related
filings include:
 8 CFR §103.7(b) (fees);
 8 CFR §103.7(c) (fee waiver regulations, superseded in part by statute);
 8 CFR §212.16 (waivers of inadmissibility for T nonimmigrant status);
 8 CFR §212.18 (waivers of inadmissibility for T adjustment of status applicants);
 8 CFR §214.11 (T nonimmigrant status eligibility and filing regulations);
 8 CFR §274a.12(a)(16) (Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for
principal T petitioners);
 8 CFR §274a.12(c)(25) (Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for T
derivative beneficiaries); and
 8 CFR §245.23 (green card applications).
T nonimmigrant status: Jurisdiction
The Department of Homeland Security has jurisdiction over the adjudication of T
nonimmigrant status applications. INA §101(a)(15)(T)(i). T nonimmigrant status
applications are adjudicated exclusively by the Vermont Service Center of USCIS. See
Instruction to Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-914instr.pdf. USCIS retains exclusive jurisdiction
over T nonimmigrant status applications ever for those in removal proceedings or with
final orders. 8 CFR §214.11(d)(8) and (d)(9).
T nonimmigrant status: Criteria for eligibility
Noncitizens are eligible for T nonimmigrant status if:
(1)
They are victims of severe forms of trafficking;
(2)
They are physically present in the United States on account of such
trafficking;
(3)
They (i) are cooperating with authorities investigating or prosecuting the
trafficking, (ii) are unable to cooperate due to physical or psychological
trauma; or (iii) are 17 or younger; and
(4)
They would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm
upon removal.
Each of these criteria is explored in more detail below.
Severe form of trafficking
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(T)(i)(I) applicants for T nonimmigrant status must
establish that they are victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined in
Section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), Division A of the
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106-386. A severe
form of trafficking in persons is defined in Section 103 of the TVPA as:
45
(a)
sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or
coercion, or in which the person induced to perform the act is under 18
years of age, or
(b)
the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a
person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion or
the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage
or slavery.
Note the distinction in the statute that minors who have been sex trafficked (but
not labor trafficked) are automatically considered to be victims of severe trafficking, and
do not need to established that they have been trafficked through means of force or fraud
or coercion.
While the meanings of the terms force and fraud are self-evident, the term
coercion requires further explanation. Coercion is defined at 18 USC § 1591 (e)(2) as
threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; any scheme, plan, or
pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform an act would result in
serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; or the abuse or threatened abuse
of law or the legal process.
The term “serious harm” means any harm, whether physical or nonphysical,
including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under
all the surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background
and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue performing commercial sexual
activity or labor or services in order to avoid incurring that harm. 18 USC §§ 1589(c)(2)
and 1591(e)(4).
The term “abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process” means the use or
threatened use of a law or legal process, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any
manner or for any purpose for which the law was not designed, in order to exert pressure
on another person to cause that person to take some action or refrain from taking some
action. 18 USC §§ 1589(c)(1) and 1591(e)(1).
Applicants may establish that they are victims of a severe form of trafficking in
persons through one of three ways: (1) by submitting a Law Enforcement Agency (LEA)
endorsement; (2) by demonstrating that they have previously been granted continued
presence, or (3) by submitting sufficient credible secondary evidence, describing the
nature and scope of any force, fraud, or coercion used against the victim (unless the
applicant is a victim of sex trafficking under the age of 18). 8 C.F.R. § 214.11(f). This is
in contrast to the requirements for those applying for U nonimmigrant status, where the U
petition will be denied if there is no accompanying law enforcement certification.
While no law enforcement agency endorsement is required for T applicants, if it is
provided it must be submitted by an appropriate law enforcement official on Form I-914,
Supplement B, Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for Victim of Trafficking in
46
Persons. It must contain a description of the victimization upon which the application is
based (including the dates the severe forms of trafficking in persons and victimization
occurred), and be signed by a supervising official responsible for the investigation or
prosecution of severe forms of trafficking in persons. The LEA endorsement must
address whether the victim had been recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or
obtained specifically for either labor or services, or for the purposes of a commercial sex
act. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(1).
USCIS will consider an LEA endorsement as primary evidence that the applicant
has been the victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons. In the alternative,
documentation from the USCIS granting the applicant continued presence will be
considered as primary evidence that the applicant has been the victim of a severe form of
trafficking in persons, unless the Service has revoked the continued presence based on a
determination that the applicant is not a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons.
8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(2)
Credible secondary evidence and affidavits may be submitted to establish that the
applicant is a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons. The secondary evidence
must include a statement by the applicant indicating that he or she is a victim of a severe
form of trafficking in persons; credible evidence of victimization and cooperation,
describing what the alien has done to report the crime to law enforcement; and a
statement indicating whether similar records for the time and place of the crime are
available. The statement or evidence should demonstrate that good faith attempts were
made to obtain the LEA endorsement, including what efforts the applicant undertook to
accomplish these attempts. Applicants are encouraged to provide and document all
credible evidence, because there is no guarantee that a particular piece of evidence will
result in a finding that the applicant was a victim of a severe form of trafficking in
persons. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(3)
Secondary evidence includes, but is not limited to, trial transcripts, court
documents, police reports, news articles, and copies of reimbursement forms for travel to
and from court. In addition, applicants may also submit their own affidavit and the
affidavits of other witnesses. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(3)
In determining whether an applicant for T nonimmigrant status is a victim of a severe
form of trafficking in persons USCIS will consider all credible and relevant evidence. 8
C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(3)
The determination of what evidence is credible and the weight to be given that
evidence shall be within the sole discretion of USCIS. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (f)(3)
Present in the United States on account of the trafficking
Pursuant to INA § 101(a)(15)(T)(i)(II) an applicant must be physically present in
the United States, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, or at a port of entry thereto on account of such trafficking, including physical
presence on account of the alien having been allowed entry into the United States for
47
participation in investigative or judicial processes associated with an act or a perpetrator
of trafficking.
The “present in United States” requirement does not mean that an applicant has to
establish that she was brought into the United States for the purpose of trafficking.
Rather, this element is more concerned with why an applicant is still or currently in the
United States.
Specifically, the physical presence requirement reaches an alien who: is present
because he or she is being subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons; was
recently liberated from a severe form of trafficking in persons; or was subject to severe
forms of trafficking in persons at some point in the past and whose continuing presence
in the United States is directly related to the original trafficking in persons. 8 C.F.R. §
214.11 (g).
If the applicant has escaped the traffickers before law enforcement became
involved in the matter, he or she must show that he or she did not have a clear chance to
leave the United States in the interim. USCIS will consider whether an applicant had a
clear chance to leave in light of the individual applicant's circumstances. When deciding
whether an applicant has had a chance to leave, immigration officials will take into
account any trauma and injuries related to the trafficking that the victim has experienced,
lack of resources of the victim, or travel documents that have been seized by the
traffickers. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (g)(2).
An applicant who has voluntarily left (or has been removed from) the United
States at any time after the act of a severe form of trafficking in persons shall be deemed
not to be present in the United States as a result of such trafficking in persons unless the
alien's reentry into the United States was the result of the continued victimization of the
alien or a new incident of a severe form of trafficking in persons described in section
101(a)(15)(T)(i)(I) of the INA. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11 (g)(2).
Compliance with reasonable requests for assistance
Pursuant to INA § 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)(III), applicants for the T nonimmigrant status
must show that they have complied with any reasonable request for assistance in the
Federal, State or local investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking or the
investigation of crime where acts of trafficking are at least one central reason for the
commission of that crime; or in consultation with the Attorney General, as appropriate, is
unable to cooperate with a request for assistance due to physical or psychological trauma;
or has not attained 18 years of age.
In determining whether an applicant has complied with reasonable requests for
assistance, statements from State and local law enforcement in the investigation or
prosecution of crimes such as kidnapping, rape, slavery, or other forced labor offenses,
where severe forms of trafficking in persons appear to have been involved, shall be
considered. INA § 214(o)(6).
48
The reasonableness of a request for assistance depends on the totality of the
circumstances the nature of the victimization and the specific circumstances of the
victim, including fear, physical trauma, mental trauma and the age and maturity of young
victims. 8 C.F.R. § 214.11(a) The determination of the reasonableness of the request is
made by USCIS, not by law enforcement. INA 101 (a)(15)(T)(iii)
A trafficking victim may establish that she complied with reasonable requests for
assistance from law enforcement by submitting an LEA endorsement, which will be
considered primary evidence of the compliance. 214.11(h)(1) A victim of a severe
form of trafficking in persons who does not have an LEA endorsement should contact the
law enforcement agency to which the alien has provided assistance to request an
endorsement. If the applicant has not had contact with a law enforcement agency
regarding the acts of severe forms of trafficking in persons, the applicant should promptly
contact the nearest Service or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field office or U.S.
Attorneys' Office to file a complaint, assist in the investigation or prosecution of acts of
severe forms of trafficking in persons, and request an LEA endorsement. If the applicant
was recently liberated from the trafficking in persons situation, the applicant should ask
the law enforcement agency for an endorsement. Alternatively, the applicant may contact
the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Trafficking in Persons and Worker
Exploitation Task Force complaint hotline at 1-888-428-7581 to file a complaint and be
referred to a law enforcement agency. 8 CFR § 214.11(f)(4)
A trafficking victim who is unable to obtain an LEA endorsement may in the
alternative, provide extensive secondary evidence demonstrating compliance with
reasonable requests for assistance. This should include the victims own detailed
statements of her contacts and requests for assistance with law enforcement and her good
faith attempts to cooperate with law enforcement and affidavits of other witnesses It can
also include affidavits from other witnesses, transcripts, court documents and police
reports among other things. The determination of what evidence is credible and the
weight to be given that evidence shall be within the sole discretion of the Service.
Applicants are encouraged to describe and document all applicable factors, since there is
no guarantee that a particular reason will result in a finding that the applicant has
complied with reasonable requests. An applicant who never has had contact with an LEA
regarding the acts of severe forms of trafficking in persons will not be eligible for T-1
nonimmigrant status. 8 CFR § 214.11 (g)(2)
Extreme hardship of a severe and unusual nature upon removal
Pursuant to INA §101(a)(15)(T)(IV), applicants must establish they would suffer
extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States.
Note that this is higher than the “extreme hardship” standard for other types of
immigration relief. 8 CFR § 214.11(i)(1) It includes traditional extreme hardship factors
as well as factors associated with having been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in
persons. This hardship, however, cannot be based on current or future economic
detriment, or lack of social or economic opportunities. § 214.11(i)(1)
49
Pursuant to 8 CFR § 214.11(i), factors that immigration will consider when
deciding whether an applicant meets the extreme hardship requirement include, but are
not limited to:








The age and personal circumstances of the applicant;
Serious physical or mental illness of the applicant that necessitates medical or
psychological attention not reasonably available in the foreign country;
The nature and extent of the physical and psychological consequences of severe
forms of trafficking in persons;
The impact of the loss of access to the US courts and criminal justice system
relating to the trafficking or other crimes perpetrated against the applicant,
including criminal and civil redress for acts of trafficking in persons, criminal
prosecution, restitution and protection;
The reasonable expectation that the existence of laws, social practices, or customs
in the foreign country to which the applicant would be returned would penalize
the applicant severely for having been the victim of a severe form of trafficking in
persons;
The likelihood of re-victimization and the need, ability or willingness of foreign
authorities to protect the applicant;
The likelihood that the trafficker in person or others acting on behalf of the
trafficker in the foreign country would severely harm the applicant; and
The likelihood that the applicant’s individual safety would be seriously threatened
by the existence of civil unrest or armed conflict as demonstrated by the
designation of Temporary Protected Status, under section 244 of the Act, or the
granting of other relevant protections.
Applicants are encouraged to describe and document all factors that may be
relevant to his or her case, since there is no guarantee that a particular reason or reasons
will result in a finding that a removal would cause extreme hardship involving unusual
and severe harm to the applicant. 8 CFR § 214.11(i)(2). It is also helpful to include
country condition reports and sources of information that would document the extreme
hardship that the applicant may face if returned to her home country. 8 CFR §
214.11(i)(3). Immigration will consider all credible evidence submitted regarding the
nature and scope of the hardship should the applicant be removed from the United States.
The determination that extreme hardship involving unusual or severe harm to the alien
exists is to be made solely by the Service. 8 CFR § 214.11(i)(3).
T nonimmigrant status applicants are exempt from INA § 212(a)(4), the public
charge ground of inadmissibility. See INA §212(d)(13)(A). The health-related ground of
inadmissibility, INA §212(a)(1) may be waived upon application. See INA
§212(d)(13)(B)(i). Any other ground, other than INA §s 212(a)(3), (10)(C) and (10)(E)
may be waived if related to trafficking victimization. See INA §212(d)(13)(B)(ii).
Regulations relating to such waivers are found at 8 CFR §212.16 and such applications
for such waivers are made on Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter
as Nonimmigrant.
50
A noncitizen without current immigration status may petition for T nonimmigrant
status. INA §248(b).
T nonimmigrant status: Derivative family members
Pursuant to INA § 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)(I), T nonimmigrant status applicants who are
20 years old or younger on the date of application may petition for the following
 parents;
 spouse;
 unmarried siblings under 17 years old or younger; and
 children.
Pursuant to INA § 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)(II), T nonimmigrant status applicants who are
21 years old or older on the date of application may petition for the following derivative
family members:
 spouse; and
 children.
Pursuant to INA § 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)(III), T nonimmigrant status applicants of any
age may petition for the following derivative family members if the Secretary of
Homeland Security, in consultation with law enforcement, determines such family
member faces a present danger of retaliation as a result of the T applicant’s escape from
the severe form of trafficking or cooperation with law enforcement:


parents; and
unmarried siblings under 17 years old or younger.
Applications for derivative family members are filed on Form I-914, Supplement
A. Pursuant to 8 CFR § 214.11(o) the principal applicant must establish that either the
immediate family member or the T-1 principal would suffer extreme hardship, if the
immediate family member was not allowed to accompany or follow to join the principal
T-1 nonimmigrant.
T nonimmigrant status: Employment Authorization
Those granted T nonimmigrant status are employment authorized incident to
status. 8 CFR § 214.11(n)(4); 8 CFR § 274a12(a)(16). As explained under 8 CFR §
214.11(n)(4), once USCIS grants T status to an applicant, USCIS will provide the T
status holder with an Employment Authorization Document incident to that status, which
shall extend concurrently with the duration of that person’s T nonimmigrant status.
Noncitizens granted derivative T nonimmigrant status are eligible to apply for
EADs pursuant to 8 CFR §214.11(o)(10) and 8 CFR §2714a.12(c)(25). For noncitizens
present in the United States, applications may be filed on Form I-765 concurrently with
application for T derivative status on Form I-914, Supplement A or upon approval.
51
T nonimmigrant status: Lawful permanent resident status
Pursuant to INA §245(l)(1), 8 CFR § 245.23, noncitizens in T nonimmigrant
status, both principals and derivatives, may apply for adjustment of status if they meet the
following criteria:
 They have been continuously physically present in T nonimmigrant status for at
least three years or for a continuous period during the investigation or prosecution
of acts of trafficking and that, in the opinion of the Attorney General, the
investigation or prosecution is complete, whichever time period is less;.
 They have been a person of good moral character, although such ground may be
waived pursuant to INA §245(l)(6) if connected to the trafficking;
 They are not inadmissibile, unless such inadmissiblity has been previously waived
or is waived pursuant to INA§245(l)(2). (Note that grounds of inadmissibility
under INA §212(a)(3), (10)(C) and (10)(E) cannot be waived.)
 They meet any one of the following three criteria:
 they have complied with any reasonable request for assistance in the
investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking; or
 they would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm upon
removal from the United States; or
 they were age 17 or younger at the time of the trafficking.
Filing fees for adjustment of status applications for those in T nonimmigrant
status can be waived under 8 CFR § 103.7(c).
T nonimmigrant status: Current removal proceedings
A noncitizen in removal proceedings, like any other noncitizen not in removal
proceedings, files an application for T nonimmigrant status with USCIS.
A noncitizen in removal proceedings who is applying for T nonimmigrant status
may ask for a continuance or may ask the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) to join in a
motion for administrative closure, pending the adjudication of the T nonimmigrant status
application. 8 CFR §214.11(d)(8).
T nonimmigrant status: Past orders
A noncitizen present in the United States with a final exclusion, deportation or
removal order, like any other noncitizen without such an order, files an application for T
nonimmigrant status with USCIS.
A noncitizen with a final order, like any other noncitizen with a final order, may
apply for a stay of removal. However, once a T nonimmigrant status applicant has
established that his or her application is “bona fide” as such term is defined in 8 CFR
§214.11(a), the Department of Homeland Security “will automatically stay execution of
the final order of deportation, exclusion, or removal, and the stay will remain in effect
until a final decision is made on the T application.” 8 CFR §214.11(d)(9). See also 8
CFR §212.11(k)(4).
52
If T nonimmigrant status is granted, any final order is “deemed cancelled by
operation of law as of the date of approval.” 8 CFR §214.11(d)(9). If the application for
T nonimmigrant status is denied, “the stay of the final order is deemed lifted, without
regard to whether the alien appeals the decision.” 8 C.F.R. § 214.11(d)(9)
T nonimmigrant status: Filing procedures
Regardless of whether the T applicant (or derivative beneficiary) is in removal
proceedings or has a final order or has never been in proceedings, all forms relating to T
nonimmigrant status and subsequent adjustment of status are filed at the following
address:
VAWA Unit
St. Albans VT 05479
T nonimmigrant status applications are free. See 8 CFR § 103.7(b). Fees for
related filings may be waived. See INA §245(l), 8 CFR § 103.7(c).
Filings for T nonimmigrant status include the following forms:
 Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (required);
 Form I-914, Supplement B, Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for
Victim of Trafficking in Persons (optional);
Filings for derivative beneficiaries of those petitioning for U nonimmigrant status
include the following forms:
 Form I-914, Supplement A, Petition for Application for Immediate Family
Member of T-1 Recipient (required);
(if derivative is in the United States); and
Filings for adjustment of status for persons in T nonimmigrant status for at least
three years and currently still in status or for persons in T nonimmigrant status who
establish that the relevant trafficking investigation or prosecution has been concluded:
Status (required);
 Form I-601 (for waiver of inadmissibility, if needed),
53



Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (in
Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented); and
Relevant fees or fee waiver requests.
Any follow up questions or concerns should be addressed directly to the VAWA
Unit either by voicemail at (802) 527-4888 or email at
[email protected].
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions
The term “VAWA self-petition” can be used in two senses. Broadly speaking, the
term is defined at INA §101(a)(51) to include noncitizens who are eligible for
immigration status under a somewhat eclectic list of provisions under the INA
thematically related to domestic violence.
More narrowly, and more commonly, the term “VAWA self-petition” relates to a
cluster of statutory provisions under INA §204(a)(1) that allows women, men, girls, and
boys with close family relationships to abusive U.S. citizens and lawful permanent
residents (LPRs) to petition for immigration status without the support of their abusive
family members. It is in this narrower sense that we will use the term “VAWA selfpetition” for this article.
VAWA self-petitions are meant as a stepping stone towards lawful permanent
resident status, in a manner relatively similar to immigrant visa petitions filed by U.S.
citizen or LPR family members for intending immigrants. VAWA self-petitioners who
have a qualifying relationship with an abusive U.S. citizen are immediately eligible to
apply to adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident under INA §245(a) and
(c). VAWA self-petitioners who have qualifying relationships with LPRs must wait for a
current priority dates. (A brief explanation of priority dates as well as a list of current
priority dates is available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.)
Eventually, when their priority dates become current, VAWA self-petitioners who are or
were the spouses or children of LPRs, like those related to U.S. citizens, may apply to
adjust their status to that of lawful permanent resident under INA §245(a) and (c).
VAWA self-petitioners are eligible for certain benefits not available to
beneficiaries of immigrant visa petitions filed by family members. Approved VAWA
self-petitioners are eligible for employment authorization under INA §204(a)(1)(K).
VAWA self-petitioners’ children may receive derivative benefits simultaneously (if in the
US). VAWA self-petitioners and their children (if in the US) are granted deferred action.
Deferred action is generally (although not 100% consistently) granted to approved
VAWA self-petitioners in removal proceedings and with final removal orders.
VAWA self-petitions: Relevant statutory and regulatory provisions
The VAWA provisions that will be reviewed relate to the following statutory
provisions:
54

INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)
Immigrant petitions for current, certain former and certain intended spouses of
abusive U.S citizens

INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv)
Immigrant petitions for current and certain former children of abusive U.S.
citizens

INA §204(a)(1)(A)(v)
Immigrant petitions for current spouses, certain intended spouses and current
children of certain abusive U.S citizens living abroad

INA §204(a)(1)(A)(vii)
Immigrant petitions for parents or certain former abusive citizen sons or
daughters who are 21 years of age or older

INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)
Immigrant petitions for current spouses, certain former and certain intended
spouses of abusive lawful permanent residents

INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii)
Immigrant petitions for current and certain former children of abusive lawful
permanent residents

INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iv)
Immigrant petitions for current spouses, certain intended spouses and current
children of certain abusive LPRs living abroad
Note that as regulations relating to VAWA self-petitions were last updated in
1997 and the statute has been substantially amended since that time, we rarely refer to
regulations as many of them are out of date, having been superseded by statutory
amendment. These often superseded VAWA regulations are found at 8 CFR § 204.2(c)
& (e).
VAWA self-petitions: Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction over VAWA self-petitions is with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS). Within USCIS, VAWA self-petitions are exclusively adjudicated at
the Vermont Service Center. See Direct Mail Program; Form I-360, 62 Fed. Reg. 16,607
(April 7, 1997).
Jurisdiction over VAWA self-petitions remains with USCIS if a VAWA selfpetitioner is in removal proceedings or has a final order. Jurisdiction over adjustment of
status, however, lies with the Immigration Court for a person in removal proceedings. A
person with a final order must first reopen his or her order before the Immigration Court
which, unless proceedings are terminated, retains jurisdiction over the adjustment of
status application.
VAWA self-petitions: Criteria for eligibility
55
Qualifying relationship
Marital relationship
If the qualifying marital relationship is with a U.S. citizen, the following marital
relationships may serve as the basis for a VAWA self-petition:
 Current valid marriage to a U.S. citizen
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(aa)(AA);
 Intended marriage to a U.S. citizen where the VAWA self-petitioner is an
unwitting victim of bigamy
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(aa)(BB);

Marriage (current or within the past 2 years) to a U.S. citizen that ended
within the past 2 years based on the U.S. citizen’s death
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(aa)(CC)(aaa);

Marriage (current or within the last 2 years) to a former U.S. citizen where the
former U.S. citizen lost citizenship relating to an incident of domestic
violence
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(aa)(CC)(bbb);
Marriage to a U.S. citizen that ended within the past 2 years in a termination
in connection with domestic violence
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(aa)(CC)(ccc)

If the qualifying marital relationship is with an LPR, the following marital
relationships may serve as the basis for a VAWA self-petition:
 Current valid marriage to an LPR
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)(aa)(AA)



Intended marriage to an LPR where the VAWA self-petitioner is an unwitting
victim of bigamy
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)(aa)(BB)
Marriage (current or within the last 2 years ) to a former LPR where the
former LPR lost LPR status for a reason relating to an incident of domestic
violence
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)(aa)(CC)(aaa)
Marriage to an LPR that ended within the past 2 years in a termination in
connection with domestic violence
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)(aa)(CC)(bbb)
Regardless of the type of relationship, in addition, the VAWA self-petitioner must
establish that the relationship he or she entered into in good faith.
Parent-child relationship: children
The term “child” is defined at INA §101(b) and includes step-children where the
step-parent/step-child relationship takes place before the child’s 18th birthday. INA
§101(b) also specifies that a “child” must be under 21 and unmarried. It is with INA
§101(b) that we consider the eligibility of children (and those who might be children but
for being between the ages of 21 and 25 at the time of self-petitioning).
56
If the qualifying parent-child relationship is with a U.S. citizen, the following
parent-child relationships may serve as the basis for a VAWA self-petition:

Current child of a U. S. citizen
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv)

Child of a former U.S. citizen who lost citizenship for a reason relating to an
incident of domestic violence in the last two years
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv)

Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen between the ages of 21 and 25
where filing after the 21st birthday is related to the abuse
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(D)(v)

Unmarried son or daughter of a former U.S. citizen where the citizen lost
citizenship in the last two years for a reason relating to an incident of domestic
violence and the unmarried son or daughter is between the ages of 21 and 25
where filing after the 21st birthday is related to the abuse
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(D)(v)
If the qualifying parent-child relationship is with a U.S. citizen, the following
parent-child relationships may serve as the basis for a VAWA self-petition:




Current child of an LPR
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii)
Child of a former LPR who lost citizenship for a reason relating to an incident
of domestic violence in the last two years
INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii))
Unmarried son or daughter of an LPR between the ages of 21 and 25 where
filing after the 21st birthday is related to the abuse
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(D)(v)
Unmarried son or daughter of a former LPR where the LPR lost citizenship in
the last two years for a reason relating to an incident of domestic violence and
the unmarried son or daughter is between the ages of 21 and 25 where filing
after the 21st birthday is related to the abuse
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(D)(v)
Parent-child relationship: parent
If the qualifying parent-child relationship is with a current or former U.S. citizen
21 years of age or older, following parent-child relationships may serve as the basis for a
VAWA self-petition:
 Current parent of U.S. citizen 21 years of age or older
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(I)
 Current parent of former U.S. citizen 21 years of age or older who lost his or
her citizenship for a reason relating to an incident of domestic violence in the
last two years
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(I)
57

Parent of a deceased U.S. citizen who was 21 years of age or older at the time
of death, which death occurred in the last 2 years
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(I)
Qualifying abuse
The VAWA self-petitioner must have suffered battery or extreme cruelty at the
hands of the abuser. INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)((I)(bb), INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA
§204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(V); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(bb); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
Joint residence
The VAWA self-petitioner must have jointly resided with the abuser. INA
§204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(II)(dd); INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(IV); INA
§204(a)(1)(B)(iii)(II)(dd); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii). For the purposes of children of
abusers, periods of visitation satisfy the joint residence requirement. INA
§204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii).
Good moral character/ Grounds of inadmissibility
VAWA self-petitioners are not subject to any grounds of inadmissibility with
respect to the adjudication of the VAWA self-petition.
However, VAWA self-petitioners must establish that they have good moral
character. INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)((II)(bb), INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA
§204(a)(1)(A)(vii)(II); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)(bb); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii). The term
“good moral character” is defined at INA §101(f). There are certain exceptions to the
good moral character requirement where the act that could give rise to a non-good moral
character finding relates to the abuse. INA §204(a)(1)(C). Guidance relating to the
interpretation of this term is provided a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
memo, from William R. Yates, Associate Director, Operations, to Paul E. Novak,
Director, Vermont Service Center, with the subject heading “Determinations of Good
Moral Character in VAWA-Based Self-Petitions,” dated January 19, 2005.
Grounds of inadmissibility are not relevant at the VAWA self-petition stage, but
only at the point in which a VAWA self-petitioner is applying for lawful permanent
resident status. See below under the discussion relating to lawful permanent resident
status applications.
There is no requirement that a VAWA self-petitioner have valid immigration
status nor is there any bar to a person with a final order filing for a VAWA self-petition.
VAWA self-petitions: Derivative family members
Children of abused spouses and children of abused children (but not children of
abused parents of U.S. citizens), are included as derivatives on VAWA self-petitions by
operation of law. INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)(I); INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iv); INA
§204(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I); INA §204(a)(1)(B)(iii). In addition to being covered by the general
Child Status Protection Act, children are covered as well by special age out protections
58
for VAWA self-petitioners. INA §204(a)(1)(D). Derivative family members physically
present in the United States are generally granted deferred action.
VAWA self-petitions: Employment Authorization
Approved VAWA self-petitioners are eligible for employment authorization
under INA §204(a)(1)(K). In order to obtain an EAD on this ground, one should submit
Form I-765 to the VAWA Unit of the Vermont Service Center and answer (c)(31) to
question #16. Note that the answer (c)(31) does not correspond to any specific regulation
under 8 CFR §274a.12, but is nonetheless the correct answer to question #16 on Form I765.
Further, both VAWA self-petitioners and their derivative children in the United
States are generally granted deferred action. Noncitizens with deferred action status are
eligible for employment authorization under 8 CFR §274a.12(c)(14). Thus VAWA selfpetitioners and their derivative children may obtain employment authorization by
submitting Form I-765 to the VAWA Unit of the Vermont Service Center and answering
(c)(14) to question #16. For approved VAWA self-petitioners, this is an alternate route to
the (c)(31) approach just mentioned; for derivative children of VAWA self-petitioners,
eligibility for EADs is only available when they are granted deferred action status.
VAWA self-petitions: Lawful permanent resident status
VAWA self-petitioners (and their children) may apply for adjustment of status to
that of lawful permanent resident if in the United States pursuant to INA §245(a) and (c),
without regard to INA §245(i). (VAWA self-petitioners abroad may apply for lawful
permanent resident status through consular processing.)
As noted above, jurisdiction for adjustment of status applications for VAWA selfpetitioners not in proceedings lies with USCIS. Such adjustment of status applications
are filed with the Vermont Service Center. See Instructions for I-485, Application to
Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i485instr.pdf.
Also noted above, jurisdiction for adjustment of status applications for VAWA
self-petitioners in proceedings lies with the Immigration Court . Original application and
materials are filed with the Immigration Court and copies, plus an original Form G-325A
and fee (or proof that fee waiver has been granted by the Immigration Judge), are filed
with the Texas Service Center. See Instructions for Submitting Certain Applications in
Immigration Court and for Providing Biometric and Biographic Information to U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/PreOrderInstr.pdf.
VAWA self-petitioners who are the spouses, children or parents of U.S. citizens,
as well as any qualifying derivative family members in the United States, may file for
adjustment of status on Form I-485 concurrently with their VAWA self-petitions, as can
VAWA self-petitioners in preference category 2A who have current priority dates based
59
on previously filed I-130 petitions by the abusive lawful permanent resident spouse or
parent.
VAWA self-petitioners who do not have a current priority date must wait to file
for adjustment of status until their priority dates are current.
More information on preference categories and priority dates may be found in the
current visa bulletin of the U.S. State Department’s available at
http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html.
There are some specific waivers and differences from other forms of adjustment of
status relating to the grounds of inadmissibility that are worth noting:

VAWA self-petitioners are not required to have Affidavits of Support on Form I864 under INA §212(a)(4) and INA §213A. Instead, VAWA self-petitioners file
the Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption on Form I-864W.

VAWA self-petitioners may file applications for waivers inadmissibility for
material representations under INA §212(a)(6) by filing their own waivers under
INA §212(i) on Form I-601 without the necessity of a qualifying relative.

VAWA self-petitioners may file applications for waivers of criminal grounds of
inadmissibility under INA §212(a)(2) by filing their own waivers under INA
§212(h) on Form I-601 without the necessity of a qualifying relative.

VAWA self-petitioners may file applications for waivers of health related grounds
under INA §212(a)(1) by filing their own waivers under INA §212(g) on Form I601 without the necessity of a qualifying relative.

VAWA self-petitioners may file applications for waivers of certain unlawful
presence grounds under INA §212(a)(9)(C) by filing their own waivers under
INA §212(a)(9)(C)(iii) on Form I-601, demonstrating a connection between the
unlawful presence and the domestic violence. Further guidance is provided in a
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo, from Michael Ayets, addressed
to the USCIS Leadership, with the subject heading “Adjudicating Forms I-212 for
Aliens Inadmissible Under Section 212(a)(9)(C) or Subject to Reinstatement
Under Section 241(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in light of
Gonzalez v. DHS, 508 F. 3d 1227 (9th Cir. 2007),” dated May 19, 2009.

VAWA self-petitioners may adjust status to that of lawful permanent resident, even if
they entered without inspection. See INA §245(a) and U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services memo, from Michael L. Aytes, addressed to Field Leadership,
with the subject heading “Adjustment of status for VAWA self-petitioner who is
present without inspection.”
VAWA self-petitions: Current removal proceedings
60
As noted above, VAWA self-petitions must be submitted to USCIS, even for
those in removal proceedings. A continuance or, upon joint motion by the Office of
Chief Counsel, administrative closure may be sought in front of the Immigration Judge.
As jurisdiction over any adjustment of status application that may be filed lies with the
Immigration Court, a VAWA self-petitioner, upon receipt of proof of filing the VAWA
self-petition, may file an adjustment of status application with the Immigration Court
pursuant to the directions for filing adjustment of status applications in procedures. See
Instructions for Submitting Certain Applications in Immigration Court and for Providing
Biometric and Biographic Information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/PreOrderInstr.pdf.
Note that a VAWA self-petitioner in removal proceedings may also file for
VAWA cancellation, as discussed below.
VAWA self-petitions: Past orders
A VAWA self-petition may be filed with USCIS, not withstanding a past order.
However, when it comes to adjustment, VAWA self-petitioners generally move to reopen
old proceedings and either adjust in removal proceedings or are generally subject to
similar rules as others. The general rules and exceptions are explored below.
Persons with exclusion orders may adjust with USCIS. See Matter of C—H—, 9
I&N Dec. 265, 266 (Regional Commissioner 1961), which remains binding on USCIS.
See 8 C.F.R. § 103.3(c).
Persons with deportation orders will generally follow the statutory provisions
relating to deportation, although they may seek to have their deportation cases
“repapered” to removal cases under certain circumstances. See Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208 (Sept. 30, 1996),
§309.
Persons with final removal orders may move to reopen the removal orders based
on an approved VAWA self-petition or a copy of a VAWA self-petition that has been or
will be filed, (or a copy of a VAWA cancellation application that will be filed) as long as
the motion is filed (1) within one year of the entry of the removal order; or (2) upon a
showing of extraordinary circumstances; or (3) upon a showing of extreme hardship to
the noncitizen’s child. See INA §240(7)(C)(iv).
With respect to both motions to reopen both deportation and removal cases, attorneys
are advised to ask the local Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) to join as motions filed jointly
with the local OCC, part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which is a
division of the Department of Homeland Security as such joint motions to reopen are not
subject to any filing deadlines. . 8 CFR §1003.23(b)(4)(iv)
VAWA self-petitions: Filing procedures
61
Regardless of whether the VAWA self-petitioner is in removal proceedings or has
a final order or has never been in proceedings, the VAWA self-petition itself is filed at
the following address:
VAWA Unit
St. Albans VT 05479
Any follow up questions or concerns should be addressed directly to the VAWA
Unit either by voicemail at (802) 527-4888 or email at
[email protected]
VAWA self-petitions are free. See 8 CFR § 103.7(b). Fees for related filings
may be waived. See INA §245(l), 8 CFR § 103.7(c).
Filings for VAWA self-petitions includes the following forms:
 Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
(required); and
 Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented).
Related filings for VAWA self-petitioners not in proceedings
If a VAWA self-petitioner is not in proceedings, then all related filings are similar
filed with the VAWA Unit at the Vermont Service Center at the address listed above.
Filings for VAWA self-petitions for noncitizens physically present in the United
States and eligible to adjust with USCIS as immediate relatives (spouses, children or
parents of U.S. citizens) or preference category 2A relatives with current priority dates
may include concurrent filings of the following documents:
Status (required);
 Form I-864W, Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption
(required)
(answer (c)(9) to question #16) (if EAD is sought)
Approved VAWA self-petitioners whose priority dates become current file, or whose
abusers become U.S. citizens, follow these same procedures.
62
Approved VAWA self-petitioners may file for EADs by filing the following:
(answer (c)(31) to question #16);
 Relevant fee or fee waiver request.
Approved VAWA self-petitioners and their children, if granted deferred action,
which they generally are, file the following:
(answer (c)(14 to question #16);
 Relevant fee or fee waiver request.
Related filings for VAWA self-petitioners in removal proceedings
Note that a VAWA self-petitioner in removal proceedings who is not eligible to
adjust, follows the rules for filing a VAWA self-petition listed above. Upon approval of
the VAWA self-petitioner, the VAWA self-petitioner may file for an EAD as listed
above, relating to EADs for approved VAWA self-petitioners applying based on the
answer (c)(31) to question #16 on Form I-765. In this scenario (no current eligibility to
adjust), no additional forms need to be filed with the Immigration Court in connection
with the VAWA self-petition.
VAWA self-petitioners who are immediately eligible for adjustment (because of
qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen or because of a current priority date) in
removal proceedings follow distinct rules rules.
File the following original forms with the Immigration Court::
 Copy of the Notice of Action indicating receipt of Form I-360 from
USCIS;
Status (required;
 Form I-864W, Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption
(required); and
 Form EOIR-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented).
below:
File the following forms with USCIS at the Texas Service Center as indicated



Copy of the Notice of Action indicating receipt of Form I-360 from
USCIS;
Copy of Form I-485, Adjustment of Status to that of Lawful Permanent
Resident Status (required);
Additional, originally executed, Form G-325A, Biographic Information
(required);
63


Fee or original order of Immigration Judge granting a fee waiver; and
Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented).
The submission to the Texas Service Center goes to:
Texas Service Center
PO Box 852463
Mesquite, TX 75185-2463
Once a VAWA self-petitioner receives a Notice of Action indicating receipt for
the I-485 filing with the Texas Service Center, the VAWA self-petitioner should follow
the rules for filing a Form I-765 based on pending adjustment of status applicant that
apply to adjustment of status applicants nationwide. See Instructions to Form I-765,
Application for Employment Authorization document at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf.
VAWA cancellation
VAWA cancellation, the popular term for Cancellation of Removal and
Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent Residents, Special Rule for Battered
Spouse or Child, is a remedy that allows certain noncitizen victims of domestic violence
with current or former qualifying relationships to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent
residents to become lawful permanent residents in proceedings. VAWA cancellation is a
subset of non-permanent resident cancellation and, all together, only 4,000 noncitizens
may be granted non-permanent resident cancellation per fiscal year. INA §240A(e)(1).
VAWA cancellation: Relevant statutory and regulatory provision
VAWA cancellation is governed by INA §240A(b)(2). No regulations have been
promulgated pursuant to VAWA cancellation. We have, as a reference point, 8 CFR §
1240.58 which relates to extreme hardship under VAWA suspension of deportation under
INA §244 which existed prior to the statutory amendments of the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208 (Sept. 30, 1996).
VAWA cancellation: Jurisdiction
VAWA cancellation applications may only be filed by noncitizens who are before
an Immigration Judge in a removal proceeding. No VAWA cancellation applications
may be filed by those not in removal proceedings and there is no such application before
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
VAWA cancellation: Criteria for eligibility
Qualifying current or past relationship with an abusive U.S. citizen or
lawful permanent resident

Current or former spouse of an abusive current or former U.S. citizen
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(I);
64

Current or former child (or son or daughter) of an abusive current or former
U.S. citizen
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(I);

Parent of a child who was abused by a current or former U.S. citizen
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(I)

Current or former spouse of an abusive current or former lawful permanent
resident
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(II);

Current or former child (or son or daughter) of an abusive current or former
lawful permanent
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(II);

Parent of a child who was abused by a current or former lawful permanent
resident
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(II)

Noncitizen domestic violence victim who believed him- or herself to currently
or formerly be married to a current or former U.S. citizen, but who was never
legally married because of that U.S. citizen’s bigamy
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(III);

Noncitizen domestic violence victim who believed him- or herself to currently
or formerly be married to a current or former lawful permanent resident, but
who was never legally married because of that lawful permanent resident’s
bigamy
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(i)(III)
Qualifying abuse
The VAWA cancellation applicant, or the child that he or she has in common with
the abuser, must have suffered battery or extreme cruelty at the hands of the abuser. INA
§240A(b)(2)(A).
Physical presence for three years
A noncitizen seeking VAWA cancellation must have been continually physically
present in the United States for at least three years on the date of application. INA
§240A(b)(2)(A)(ii). The issuance of the Notice to Appear (NTA) that begins removal
proceedings does not stop the clock towards counting to three years. INA
§240A(b)(2)(A)(ii). Note, however, that any physical presence accrued after the
commission of an offense that makes a noncitizen inadmissible under INA §212(a)(2) or
deportable under INA § 237(a)(2) or (4), does not count towards the accrual of three
years of physical presence. INA §240A(d)(1).
Extreme hardship
The noncitizen seeking VAWA cancellation must establish that such noncitizen,
the noncitizen’s parent or the noncitizen’s child would suffer extreme hardship if
deported. INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(v)
65
Good moral character
VAWA cancellation applicants must establish good moral character for a period
of three years. INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(iii). The term “good moral character” is defined at
INA §101(f). There are certain exceptions4 to the good moral character requirement
where the act that could give rise to a non-good moral character finding relates to the
abuse. INA §240A(b)(2)(C).
Grounds of inadmissibility and deportability
Pursuant to the statute, in order to be eligible for VAWA cancellation, the
noncitizen:
Is not inadmissible under paragraph (20 or (3) of section 212(a), is not deportable
under paragraphs (1)(G) or (2) through (4) of section 237(a), subject to paragraph
(5), and has not been convicted of an aggravated felony.
INA §240A(b)(2)(A)(iv)
In determining inadmissibility and deportability, however, convictions relating to
domestic violence where the VAWA cancellation applicant was convicted for crimes
against her abuser may be waived. INA §240A(b)(5); INA §237(a)(7).
VAWA cancellation is only available to noncitizens who are inadmissible or
deportable from the United States and are in removal proceedings. INA §240A(b)(2)(A).
VAWA cancellation: Derivative family members
Family members of successful VAWA cancellation applicants do not obtain
immigration status at the same time. However, children of those granted VAWA may be
granted parole. INA §240A(b)(4).
VAWA cancellation: Employment Authorization
VAWA cancellation applicants, like all cancellation applicants, are eligible for
employment authorization documents (EADs) during the pendency of proceedings. 8
CFR §274a.12(c)(10. Those granted VAWA cancellation are lawful permanent residents
and eligible to work incident to status.
VAWA cancellation: Lawful permanent resident status
A VAWA cancellation application is an application for lawful permanent resident
status. If successful, the noncitizen is a permanent resident as of the date cancellation is
granted by the immigration Judge. INA §240A(b)(3).
VAWA cancellation: Current removal proceedings
Only noncitizens currently in removal proceedings may file for VAWA
cancellation.
VAWA cancellation: Past orders
Persons with deportation orders will generally follow the statutory provisions
relating to deportation, although they may seek to have their deportation cases
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“repapered” to removal cases under certain circumstances. See Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208 (Sept. 30, 1996),
§309.
Persons with final removal orders may move to reopen the removal orders based a
copy of a VAWA cancellation application that will be filed as long as the motion is filed
(1) within one year of the entry of the removal order; or (2) upon a showing of
extraordinary circumstances; or (3) upon a showing of extreme hardship to the
noncitizen’s child. See INA §240(7)(C)(iv).
With respect to both motions to reopen both deportation and removal cases,
attorneys are advised to ask the local Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) to join as motions
filed jointly with the local OCC, part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security as such joint motions
to reopen are not subject to any filing deadlines. . 8 CFR §1003.23(b)(4)(iv)
VAWA cancellation: Filing procedures
VAWA cancellation application filing procedures are described below.
File the following original forms with the Immigration Court::
 Form EOIR 42B, Application for Cancellation of Removal and
Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent Residents (required)
 Form EOIR-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented).
below:
File the following forms with USCIS at the Texas Service Center as indicated




Copy of Form EOIR 42B, Application for Cancellation of Removal and
Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent residents (required);
Form G-325A, Biographic Information (required);
Fee or original order of Immigration Judge granting a fee waiver; and
Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented).
The submission to the Texas Service Center goes to:
Texas Service Center
PO Box 852463
Mesquite, TX 75185-2463
Once a VAWA cancellation applicant receives a Notice of Action indicating
receipt for the I-485 filing with the Texas Service Center, the VAWA cancellation
applicant follow the rules for filing a Form I-765 based on pending cancellation
application. (Answer (c)(10) to question #16 on Form I-765.) See Instructions to Form
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization document at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf.
Battered spouse and child waivers
67
Battered spouse and child waivers, are a subset of the Petition to Remove
Conditions on Form I-751. The battered spouse and child waivers allow persons granted
conditional permanent resident status pursuant to INA §216 to petition to remove
conditions without the support of the original sponsoring family members. .
Battered spouse and child waivers: Relevant statutory and regulatory
provisions
Battered spouse and child waivers are governed by INA §216(c)(4)(C) and 8 CFR
§216.5, which regulatory provisions have largely been superseded with respect to
establishing extreme cruelty..
Battered spouse and child waivers: Jurisdiction
For conditional permanent residents whose conditional permanent resident status
has not been terminated, jurisdiction over the battered spouse or child waiver initially lies
with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Petitions to remove conditions
are filed with either with the California or the Vermont Service center, depending on the
petitioner’s state of residence. See the Instructions on Form I-751, Petition to Remove
Conditions on Residence at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-751instr.pdf.
While jurisdiction over the battered spouse or child waiver initially lies with
USCIS, should USCIS deny the petition and terminate proceedings, the petition may be
renewed before the Immigration Judge. See 8 CFR §216.5(f).
Battered spouse and child waivers: Criteria for eligibility
There are only two statutory criteria. The conditional permanent resident (1) must
have entered the qualifying marriage in good faith, but (2) the conditional resident or
child of the conditional resident “was battered by or was the subject of extreme cruelty
perpetrated by” the sponsoring U.S. citizen.
Note that the regulations relating to “extreme cruelty” found at 8 CFR
§216.5(e)(3)(iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) which purport to require supporting documentation
from a licensed mental health professional have been superseded by the statutory
language now found at INA §216(c)(4)(C) which allows for “any credible evidence” to
be considered.
Conditional permanent residents have already been admitted for permanent
residence so they do not face grounds of inadmissibility. Like any other resident,
however, they are subject to grounds of deportability found at INA §237.
Any conditional resident whose residence has been terminated but who has not
departed from the United States may file for a battered spouse or child waiver. See 8
CFR §216.5(e)(3)(c). Should such waiver be denied by USCIS, the waiver petition may
be renewed before the Immigration Judge. See 8 CFR §216.5(f).
68
Battered spouse and child waivers: Derivative family members
A conditional resident child may be included in his or her parent’s battered spouse
waiver as a derivative only if he or she became a conditional resident at the same time as
his or her parent or within the following 90 days. Otherwise, the child must file a
separate petition to remove conditions. See 8 CFR §216.4(a)(2).
Battered spouse and child waivers: Employment Authorization
Conditional residents, like all permanent residents, are employment authorized
incident to status. Conditional residents, even those whose petitions to remove conditions
have been denied before USCIS and are renewing their petitions before the Immigration
Court, are eligible for proof of continued permanent resident status (which proof
inherently establishes employment authorization), until such time as a final order has
been entered denying the petition to remove conditions. Letter from the General
Counsel’s Office, U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service,
regarding the status of a conditional permanent resident after denial of I-751 during
pendency of review by EOIR, dated August 6, 1996, Genco Op. No. 96-12, 1996 WL
33166343 (INS).
Battered spouse and child waivers: Lawful permanent resident status
Conditional permanent residents are permanent residents so there is no application
for permanent resident status involved; rather a battered spouse or child waiver is meant
to remove the conditions on already existing permanent resident status.
Battered spouse and child waivers: Current removal proceedings
Conditional permanent residents who are in removal proceedings after USCIS has
terminated their conditional permanent resident status upon denial of their Petitions to
Remove Conditions on Residence on Form I-751 on grounds other than battery or
extreme cruelty, may file a petition based on the abuse ground (known s a Battered
spouse or battered child waiver) on Form I-751 with the appropriate USCIS Service
Center.
If the appropriate USCIS Service Center has previously adjudicated the battered
spouse or child waiver and denied it, the conditional permanent resident may, as already
discussed, renew his or her battered spouse or child waiver with the Immigration Judge.
Battered spouse and child waivers: Filing procedures
A conditional permanent resident seeking to file battered spouse or child waiver
files Form I-751 with the California or Vermont Service Center, depending on state of
residence. This is true whether a conditional permanent is or is not in proceedings.
However, once a battered spouse waiver or battered child waiver is denied, that request to
remove the conditions from the conditional permanent resident status may be renewed
before the Immigration Judge, without necessitating a new filing.
Under current filing procedures, an I-751 petitioner files:

Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (required);
69


Form G-28, Notice of Appearance (if represented);
Fee or fee waiver request
Depending on the state of residence of the petitioner, the filing goes to one of the
following two service centers:
USCIS California Service Center
P.O. Box 10751
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1075
USCIS Vermont Service Center
75 Lower Welden Street
P.O. Box 200
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a form of relief for abused,
abandoned, neglected or otherwise mistreated children under the age of 21 years old. A
child pursuing SIJS is immediately eligible for lawful permanent residency.
Traditionally, SIJS was pursued as a form of immigration relief for children in the foster
care system who were dependent on a state court and in the public child welfare system.
However, over the past several years, SIJS’ legal definition has been clarified and
expanded and is available as a form of immigration legal relief for children in various
forms of state court proceedings, including guardianship, custody, and juvenile
delinquency proceedings. †
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Relevant Statutory and Regulatory
Provisions
The most relevant statutes relating to SIJS include:
● INA §101(a)(27)(J) (Definition)
● INA §245(h) (Adjustment of status and inadmissibility for Special Immigrant
Juveniles)
● 8 U.S.C. §1232 (William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection
Reauthorization Act of 2008; “TVPRA”) ‡
Although the SIJS statute was amended by the TVPRA and took effect in 2009,
the regulations have yet to be amended and therefore the regulations are not entirely
consistent with the recent SIJS changes. Nevertheless, the most relevant regulations
relating to SIJS include:
● 8 C.F.R. §204.11(a) (Definition)
● 8 C.F.R. §204.11(b) (SIJS Filing)
● 8 C.F.R. §204.11(c) (SIJS eligibility)
● 8 C.F.R. §204.11(d) (Documents Filed)
● 8 C.F.R. §245.1(e)(2)(vi)(B)(3) (Inadmissibility)
†
8 U.S.C. §1232(d)(2).
For an overview of TVPRA changes, please see D. Lee, M. Govindaiah, A. Morrison,
and D. Thronson, “Legal Relief Options for Unaccompanied Alien Children: Update
Since the Enactment of the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act,”
published on AILA Infonet at Doc. No. 090221830 (February 2009).
‡
70
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Criteria of Eligibility
A non-citizen present in the United States is eligible for SIJS if he or she (1) is a
child; (2) has been declared dependent on a juvenile court located in the United States or
whom such a court has legally committed to or placed under the custody of, an agency or
department of a State, or an individual or entity appointed by a State or juvenile court
located in the United States; (3) for whom the court has determined that reunification
with one or both of the child’s parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment,
or a similar basis found under state law; and for whom (4) it has been determined in the
judicial proceedings that it would not be in the child’s best interest to be returned to their
his or her home country.§
SIJS eligibility is dependent on a state court’s taking jurisdiction and making
certain findings regarding the abused, abandoned, neglected or otherwise mistreated
child. A state court may have already taken jurisdiction over a child before an
immigration legal advocate has begun working with the child. An example of this might
be a child in the state foster care system for whom the state court has appointed an
immigration legal advocate to pursue SIJS. Generally though, a child’s advocate may
need to petition, on the child’s behalf, so that a local state court will initiate jurisdiction
over the child. The advocate would also file a motion in those proceedings, asking the
judge to sign an order consolidating findings that establish the child’s eligibility for SIJS.
This order, sometimes referred to as a special findings order, or a best interest order, must
be submitted with the child’s SIJS petition to the Department of Homeland Security’s
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will then adjudicate this
petition and determine if it will grant SIJS status to the child.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Definitional Requirements
(1)
Child must be under the age of 21 and unmarried
For immigration purposes, a child is defined as being less than 21 years old and
unmarried. ** Evidence of the child’s age may be submitted in the form of a birth
certificate, passport, official foreign identity document, or any other document at USCIS’
discretion. †† The child must file their petition for SIJS before their 21 st birthday and
remain unmarried through the pendency of the adjudication process. Pursuant to TVPRA
amendments enacted in 2009 regarding SIJS eligibility, USCIS may approve a SIJS
petition after child’s 21 st birthday as long as the application was properly filed before the
child turned 21.‡‡ No recent amendments have been made regarding marital status; the
SIJS petitioner must remain unmarried.
(2)
Child has been declared dependent upon a juvenile court located in
the United States, or an individual or entity appointed by a State or juvenile
court located in the United States
§
INA §101(a)(27)(J).
INA §101(b)(1).
††
See 8 C.F.R. §204.11(d)(1).
‡‡
See U.S.C. §1232(d)(6).
**
71
Federal law requires that a “juvenile court” issue an order with factual findings
establishing SIJS eligibility. §§ A juvenile court is defined as any “court located in the
United States having jurisdiction under State law to make judicial determinations about
the custody and care of juveniles.”*** Depending on state law, an attorney may seek SIJS
findings before local courts that take jurisdiction over children in a wide variety of
settings, including dependency, family, probate, and delinquency courts. The specific
court, to which an attorney petitions, on behalf of the child, will vary in each jurisdiction.
Note that, although for immigration purposes a child is defined to a be a person
less than 21 years old and one may pursue SIJS until that age, in many jurisdictions
dependency upon a state court may only be found if the individual at issue is less than 18
years old. In these jurisdictions it will not be possible to initiate jurisdiction in state court
and pursue SIJS on behalf of an 18, 19 or 20 year old, because the state court will not
deem him or her young enough to be declared dependent. Despite this, other courts may
initiate dependency after the 18th birthday and extend jurisdiction for dependency
through the 21st birthday. ††† As a practical matter then, it is important to become
familiar with one’s state laws regarding age of dependency in the specific court
proceeding in which one is pursuing the requisite order for SIJS purposes.
(3)
Reunification with one or both of the child’s parents is not viable
due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar basis found under
state law
SIJS eligibility requires a finding by the state court that reunification with one
parent, if not with both, is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or a similar
basis under state law. ‡‡‡ The findings of non-viability of reunification due abuse, neglect,
or abandonment depend solely on the applicable law of the state in which the order is
being sought. The state court’s order for SIJ purposes should indicate that its finding of
non-viability of reunification is due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or similar basis under
state law.
(4)
It is not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country
SIJS eligibility also requires a state court finding that it is not in the child’s best
interest to return to his or her home country. Similar to the requirement of non-viability
of reunification due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or similar basis under state law, this
determination should be clearly stated in the order issued by the judge.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Filing Process
§§
INA §101(a)(27)(J).
8 C.F.R. §204.11(a).
†††
For example, in New York, guardianship proceedings allow the court to declare an
individual dependent until the age of 21 years old; however, in custody proceedings, the
court can only declare a child dependent until the age of 18 years old.
‡‡‡
See INA §101(a)(27)(J)(i).
***
72
SIJS requires the state court to take jurisdiction and make certain findings
regarding the child’s welfare. Then, USCIS will adjudicate the child’s SIJS petition and,
generally at the same time, the application for adjustment of status. For those in removal
proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the
Immigration Court will have jurisdiction over the child’s application for adjustment of
status instead.
Step 1:
Obtaining an Order from State Court
The child must obtain an order from a state court making the requisite findings
describing the child’s SIJS eligibility. This order, sometimes referred to as a special
findings order, or a best interest order, must be signed by the judge and be submitted with
the child’s SIJS petition. The order should clearly state that reunification is not viable
with one or both parents and the basis for this finding. §§§ Additionally, the order must
state that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their country of origin. ****
Step 2:
Filings for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
To obtain both SIJS and lawful permanent residency, one must submit a petition
for SIJS and an application for adjustment of status. As one is eligible to obtain a work
permit pursuant to a pending application for adjustment of status, legal advocates for SIJS
clients also recommend submitting an application for employment authorization. The
following forms to be submitted are:
1. Form I-360 for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Form I-360 should be filed with the state court order, along with proof of the
child’s age.††††
2. Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status (for lawful permanent residency)
Form I-485 should be filed with a sealed medical exam conducted by a civil
surgeon designated by USCIS, 2 passport-style photographs and Form G325A.
3. Form I-765 for Employment Authorization
Form I-765 should be filed with 2 passport-style photographs
These forms, along with instructions on necessary accompanying documentation,
may be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov. There is no fee associated with
filing Form I-360. However, the Form I-485 and I-765 have fees. These fees may be
waived‡‡‡‡ using Form I-912.
§§§
See 8 C.F.R. §204.11(d)(2).
See id.
††††
See 8 C.F.R. §204.11(d); see also USCIS Form I-360 instructions.
‡‡‡‡ See 8 C.F.R. § 103.7(c).
****
73
As a general matter, USCIS will adjudicate the I-360, I-485 and I-765
applications. However, when a child is in removal proceedings before the Executive
Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the Immigration Court will have sole jurisdiction
over the child’s application for adjustment of status, until it cedes that jurisdiction by
terminating proceedings. This is because the Executive Office for Immigration Review
(EOIR) generally has jurisdiction for applications of adjustment of status when a person
is in removal proceedings. §§§§
If a SIJS petitioner is in removal proceedings, the application for adjustment of
status must be filed with the Immigration Court, and cannot be filed concurrently with the
I-360 to USCIS. The child’s immigration attorney may seek to terminate proceedings
against the child in order to file I-485 and I-765 with USCIS. Depending on local
practice, EOIR may terminate removal proceedings against the child seeking SIJS after I360 is filed or after it has been approved by USCIS. If proceedings against the child are
terminated, then the I-485 and I-765 may be filed with USCIS.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Grounds of Inadmissibility
Pursuant to INA §245(h), SIJS applicants for adjustment of status are specifically
exempted from the following grounds of inadmissibility:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
INA § 212(a)(4) (Public Charge)
INA §212(a)(5)(A) (Labor Certification)
INA §212(a)(6)(A) (Present Without Admission or Parole)
INA §212(a)(6)(C) (Document Fraud and Misrepresentation)
INA §212(a)(6)(D) (Stowaway)
INA §212(a)(7)(A) (Lack of Valid Entry Documentation)
INA §212(a)(9)(B) (Unlawful Presence)
Additionally, INA §245(h)(2) allows for a waiver on discretion for other grounds
of inadmissibility, except those related to certain crimes and security-related matters.
Juvenile delinquency adjudications are not convictions for immigration purposes. *****
The standard for this waiver is similar to those for asylees and refugees, i.e., humanitarian
reasons, to assure family unity, or when it is otherwise in the public interest. †††††
§§§§
See 8 C.F.R. §1245.2(a)(1)(i).
See Matter of Devison, 22 I&N Dec. 1362 (BIA 2000).
†††††
See INA §245(h)(2).
*****
74
TIPOS DE ABUSO DOMESTICO
Nombre: ______________________________________
Fecha: _____________________
ABUSO FISICO:
El abuso físico puede ser de varias formas. Los siguientes son ejemplos del abuso físico.
1. _____ Me empujó
2. _____ Me sujetó físicamente y me impidió levantarme o zafarme
3. _____ Me mordió
4. _____ Me dió patadas
5. _____ Me ahorcó
6. _____ Me pegó una, dos y/o muchas veces resultando o en una herida física visible
7. _____ Me amarró o sujetó físicamente
8. _____ Me tiró cosas así no me haya golpeado con ella
9. _____ Cerró con llave y me dejó fuera de la casa
10. _____ Me abandonó en lugares peligrosos
11. _____ Se negó a ayudarme o llevarme a recibir atención médica cuando estaba
enferma, herida o embarazada
12. _____ Me forzó a ir en el carro cuando estaba manejando
peligrosamente, poniendo mi vida y/o las vidas de mis hijos en peligro
13. _____ Me tiró del pelo con fuerza
14. _____ Me arrastró
15. _____ Me agarró de los brazos, las piernas, u otras partes del cuerpo causándome dolor
16. _____ Rompió o desgarró mi ropa
17. _____ Me obligó a salirme del carro o me prohibió manejar
18. _____ Me violó
19. _____ Me amenazó con un arma
20. _____ Amenazó con matarme
21. _____ Usó un arma en mi contra
22. _____ Me golpeó con diferentes objetos
23. _____ Me apuñaló con un cuchillo
24. _____ Me quemó
Otro tipo de abuso fisico:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
ABUSO SEXUAL:
El abuso sexual puede ser de varias formas. Los siguientes son algunos ejemplos.
25. _____ Ha hecho chistes contra las mujeres o hecho comentarios vulgares contra las mujeres (de naturaleza
sexual)
26. _____ Ha tratado a las mujeres como objetos sexuales
27. _____ Se ha puesto celoso(a), enojado(a) me acusó de tener relaciones sexuales con cualquier hombre o
mujer disponible
1
75
28. _____ Insistió que me vistiera de una forma más sexual que la que yo quería, o hizo comentarios vulgares
acerca de cómo me vestía
29. _____ Ha hecho comentarious vulgares de mi cuerpo o ciertas partes de mi cuerpo
30. _____ Minimizó o desdeñó mis sentimientos sobre el sexo
31. _____ Me criticó por mi historia sexual; me echó la culpa por haber sido abusada(o) en el pasado o en mi
niñez
32. _____ Me criticó sexualmente, por ejemplo, me dijo que era fríguda, etc.)
33. _____ Insistió en tocarme sexualmente cuando no quería que me tocara, cuando estaba sola o en la
presencia de otra gente
34. _____ Me llamó puta o prostituta o ramera
35. _____ Me negó cariño o afecto sexual
36. _____ Me obligó a quitarme la ropa y desnudarme cuando no quería hacerlo, a solas o en frente de otras
personas)
37. _____ Demostró abiertamente interés sexual en otras personas estando en público o en casa, por ejemplo,
mientras miraba la televisión
38. _____ Tuvo relaciones sexuales con otras personas después de haberme prometido no tener relaciones con
otras personas aparte de mí
39. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo con él/ella
40. _____ Me forzó tener sexo con otras personas
41. _____ Me obligó a mirarle tener sexo con otras personas
42. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo de una forma que me hizo sentir mal o que yo no quería
43. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo después de haberme golpeado
44. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo cuando estaba enferma(o) o cuando era peligroso para mi salud
45. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo con el propósito de lastimarme con objetos o armas
46. _____ Me obligó a ver o me manipuló para que viera fotografías sádicas sexuales
47. _____ Me obligó a tener sexo con animales
Otro tipo de abuso sexual:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
ABUSO EMOCIONAL
48. _____ Ignoró mis sentimientos o losmenospreció
49. _____ Ridiculizó o insultó a las mujeres en general, llamándolas locas, emocionales, estúpidas, etc.
50. _____ Para castigarme, me negó aprobación, aprecio o cariño.
51. _____ Siempre me criticaba, me insultaba o me decía malas palabras; nunca nada estaba bien sin importar
lo que yo haga o cuántas veces trate de hacer bien las cosas
52. _____ Insultó a mis amigas o amigos y a mi familia, alejándoles de mí
53. _____ Me humilló en privado o en público
54. _____ Se negaba a socializar conmigo, si salíamos juntos me ignoraba totalmente y/o nunca salía conmigo
55. _____ No me dejaba trabajar, controlaba mi dinero, hacía todas las decisiones, exigía que le pidiera
permiso para hacer o tener algo)
56. _____ Se negaba a trabajar o a compartir el dinero
57. _____ Me quitó las llaves del carro o mi dinero
58. _____ Destruyó, vendió o regaló cosas que eran de valor o de importancia para mí
59. _____ Me amenazaba con dejarme o me decía que me fuera de la casa
60. _____ Amenazó con hacerle daño a mi familia y/o a mis amigos
2
76
61. _____ Cuando se enojaba conmigo castigaba a los niños(as) o les trataba de una manera especial,
ignorándome)
62. _____ Me amenazó con secuestrar a los niños(as) si le dejaba
63. _____ Me echaba la culpa por cualquier problema (real o percibido) con los niños(as)
64. _____ Lastimó a nustras mascotas para herirme
65. _____ Me contó de sus aventuras sexuales para humillarme
66. _____ Me acusaba de tener aventuras con otras personas. Eran totalmente imaginadas
67. _____ Me manipulaba con mentiras o contradicciones
68. _____ Me manipulaba emocionalmente, por ejemplo, amenazaba con matarse si yo le dejaba y usaba otras
formas de chantaje emocional
69. _____ Cuando me abusaba física o sexualmente me decía que era mi culpa, que yo lo pedía, lo merecía,
que me gustaba, etc.
70. _____ Negaba que su comportamiento fuera abusivo y/o minimizó su abuso, llamándome loca, débil,
estúpida, o acusándome de inventarlo, o de no poder lidiar con él/ella, etc.
Otro tipo de abuso emocional:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
AISLAMIENTO:
El aislamiento puede tomar varias formas. Los que siguen son algunos ejemplos.
71. _____ Exige que le rinda cuentas por cada minuto de mi tiempo
72. _____ Le echa la culpa a mis amigos o amigas y a mi familia
73. _____ Lee mi correo
74. _____ Monitorea mis llamadas o me prohíbe usar el teléfono
75. _____ Tengo que pedirle permiso para salir o usar el carro
76. _____ Me critica después de volver de una salida
77. _____ Me lleva a la mayoría de los lugares para monitorearme
78. _____ Me averguenza delante de nuestros(as) amigos(as)
79. _____ Amenaza a mis amigos(as) o a mi familia
80. _____ Me busca en el trabajo o en otros lugares
81. _____ Mis amistades me evitan por miedo a que se enoje con su presencia
82. _____ Me ví obligada a dejar el trabajo o la escuela, porque se negaba a ayudarme con el transporte, el
dinero para la gasolina o a cuidar a los niños
83. _____ Me ha hecho faltar al trabajo o a la escuela por las heridas que me daba o amenazas y otras formas
del abuso me dejaban con miedo, agotamiento o humillación
84. _____ Me amenaza con deportarme o me dice que no tengo derechos porque no tengo la ciudadanía
85. _____ Me dice “ilegal” o “mojada(o)”
86. _____ Me dice que si llamo a la policía me van a deportar
87. _____ Se rehúsa a llenar los papeles para que yo pueda trabajar legalmente o me obliga a trabajar ¨por
debajo de la mesa¨
Otro tipo de aislamiento:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3
77
ABUSO ECONOMICO:
88._____ Me pide dinero seguido
89._____ Toma dinero mio sin decirme
90._____ Me quita el dinero que yo gano
91._____ Me forzó a comprarle drogas, alcohol, cigarros, y/u otras drogas o vicios
92._____ Me forzó a vender mis propiedades para darle dinero
93._____ Toma control de mi dinero y mis cheques
94._____ Tiene control absolute de mis cuentas de banco
95._____ No me da mi dinero y solo me da una parte cada semana o mes
96._____ No comparte los gastos en el hogar
97._____ Me robo mi dinero
98._____ Me pide que le de dinero como soborno a cambio de no golpearme a mi, a mis hijos, o a mi familia
99._____ Se queda con el dinero de los reembolsos de impuestos
100.____ Me oculta cuanto gana en su trabajo
Otro tipo de abuso economico:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
4
78
79
ANGEL R. ROBLES
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
POSTAL ADDRESS: 5900 AVE. ISLA VERDE L-2 – PMB 299 • CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO 00979-4901
PHONE: (787) 379-2038 • FAX: (787) 957-6320 • [email protected]
Angel R. Robles*†
*Admitted in Maryland
†Nationwide Practice Exclusive to Immigration Matters‡
Physical Address:
1612 Ave. Ponce De Leon, Suite 401
Pda. 24, Santurce, Puerto Rico
septiembre 24, 2013
ENTREGA PERSONAL
RE:
GUÍA PARA CARTAS DE APOYO O SERVICIOS PRESTADOS A
PERSONAS CON CASOS FRENTE AL SERVICIO DE INMIGRACIÓN
Por favor tome nota que mi oficina representa a _________________________________ (“cliente”) en
su caso de inmigración. Esta persona enfrenta una situación donde podría ser forzada a regresar a su país de
origen si su solicitud para beneficios migratorios por ser víctima de violencia doméstica o un crimen
violento es denegada. Por esta razón humildemente le solicitamos su cooperación por medio de una carta
detallando los servicios prestados a la persona arriba indicada.
Específicamente, necesitamos una carta detallando cualquier diagnostico clínico, condición del
paciente, orientación, referido, diagnostico, o tratamiento ofrecido a nuestro cliente y explicando lo
siguiente:
1. Sus credenciales o experiencia como trabajador o profesional de la salud o persona trabajando con
víctimas de crímenes o violencia doméstica;
2. Cómo conoce al cliente;
3. El tiempo que lleva el cliente tratándose con usted o su entidad;
4. La condición del cliente y el tiempo que presenta dicha condición;
5. Diagnostico(s) clínicos si alguno; y
6. Su opinión profesional, si entiende usted que el paciente presenta rasgos de cualquier tipo de alguna
condición desarrollada o empeorada a consecuencia de la violencia doméstica o el crimen sufrido;
7. Su opinión profesional sobre si el cliente experimentaría sufrimiento extremo si su solicitud de
inmigración es denegada y tiene que regresar a su país de origen.
Por favor tome nota que es recomendable que cada uno de estos puntos sea desarrollado en un pequeño
párrafo aparte. Es también recomendable que la carta no exceda una página y media. Tome nota además que
los adjudicadores del Servicio de Inmigración esperan un alto grado de respeto como agentes federales. Por
esta razón le rogamos que imprima su carta en papel timbrado de su oficina y evite escribir la cara a mano.
Sinceramente,
Angel R. Robles
‡Representing clients from all states & throughout the world. We may be retained to represent you, a family member, a friend, an employer, or an employee regardless of
your location because the practice of immigration law is federally regulated and not state specific. Sperry v. Florida, 373 U.S. 379 (1963).
80
Victim of Crime Advocate (Expert)
Declaration Guidelines on Substantial Abuse1
All affidavits should include:
*
A paragraph providing your “credentials” : your experience with domestic
violence, sexual assault, or the crime involved in the U case (how long you’ve worked
with victims, how many you’ve served, etc.);
*
A paragraph or more describing in detail what the client told you about what
she/he experienced, both the crime itself and how it affected the client. These are the
factors the CIS regulations specifically mention







the nature of the injury,
the severity of the perpetrator’s conduct,
the severity of the harm suffered,
the duration of the infliction of harm,
any permanent or serious harm to appearance,
health and physical or mental soundness, and
any aggravation of a victim’s pre-existing conditions
But they will consider any “impairment” of the client’s “client’s emotional or
psychological soundness,” so please identify and explain any evidence you see in the
client’s behavior, attitude or description of her experience that would show this. How
does this substantially impede the client’s well-being and/or ability to navigate life
successfully.
*
A paragraph explaining how this was credible to you given your experience with
crime victims like the applicant; you can tell the difference between truth and fiction;
For Inadmissibility Waivers: Harm if counseling ended because of deportation
*
A final paragraph describing why the client needs ongoing counseling and the
writer’s willingness to provide such counseling. Merely stating she needs counseling is
not helpful: provide details on the client and why, based on your experience, this
means she needs more counseling and support.
1
Gail Pendleton, ASISTA Co-Director, prepared this guidance.
81
Showing Substantial Physical or Mental Abuse (Harm)
By Gail Pendleton1
The regulations provide a broad definition of substantial abuse: impairment of
emotional or psychological soundness. 2 While your client’s declaration will be
the first document the unit reviews, other documentation of your client’s suffering
should be included where at all possible.
Advocates who work with victims of crimes may be extremely helpful: they are
considered “experts” by CIS.3 (See guidelines for advocates writing declarations
on this section of the website.) They can “interpret” and frame what your client
says in her declaration from the perspective of someone who has seen a lot of
victims and knows when they are suffering. Asking the advocate to explain your
client’s declaration, putting it into a victim-of-crime context, can be very helpful.
Most crime victims will not self-describe as suffering from trauma, for instance, or
as having grave difficulties coping with basic life functions.
Advocates can explain harm objectively, based on work with your client or review
of the client’s declaration. This is especially important if the client has no physical
impairment. In order to help an advocate and/or your client with beginning to
write a statement, you might ask her/him to address the list of factors cited in the
regulations, which include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the nature of the injury,
the severity of the perpetrator’s conduct,
the severity of the harm suffered,
the duration of the infliction of harm,
any permanent or serious harm to appearance,
health and physical or mental soundness, and
any aggravation of a victim’s pre-existing conditions.4
Ask them to identify and explain any other “impairment” of your client’s emotional
or psychological soundness.
The Subjective Perspective
CIS will evaluate the kind and degree of harm suffered by the applicant “based
upon that applicant’s individual experience.”5 This last factor demonstrates that
CIS is looking at U visas through their experience with domestic violence
survivors and trafficking victims. They have seen that victims of such abuse are
1
2
This is a compilation of excerpts from articles by the author.
8 C.F.R. § 214.14(b)(1).
3
Author’s discussions with VAWA unit adjudicators and supervisors during trainings at VSC and for the field.
4
8 C.F.R. § 214.14(b)(1).
5
New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity: Eligibility for “U” Nonimmigrant Status, Interim Rule
(USCIS), 72 Fed. Reg. 53013 (9/17/07, effective 10/17/07) at A(1)(b).
1
82
often severely traumatized by acts that would have little or no effect on a nonvictim. They understand that, given a history of violence for individuals,
perceptions of actions or threats can be very different. Perpetrators and abusers
use this history/developed perception to threaten victims with acts that may seem
innocuous to others.
Both your client and any corroborating declarations should explain this subjective
context, as well as highlight how your client’s experience objectively meets the
eligibility requirements.
2
83
GUIA PARA SU DECLARACION DE VISA U
Párrafo #1:
Describe cual es tu nombre completo, donde naciste, cuando naciste, cuantos hijos tienes, sus nombres, cuando
llegaste a los Estados Unidos, como entraste a los estados unidos en detalle y por que viniste a los Estados
Unidos.
Párrafo # 2:
Describa como conocio a Israel Acosta Tepozteco, cuando lo conocio, en donde lo conocio y describa su
relacion al principio.
Párrafo # 3:
Describe el primer incidente en el que el la maltrato/acoso/abuso. Cuando fue? Donde fue? Que le hizo? Que le
dijo? Por que la maltrato?
Párrafo # 4.
Describe el segundo incidente en el que el la maltrato/acoso/abuso. Cuando fue? Donde fue? Que le hizo? Que
le dijo? Por que la maltrato?
Parrafo # 5:
Describe el tercer incidente en el que el la maltrato/acoso/abuso. Cuando fue? Donde fue? Que le hizo? Que le
dijo? Por que la maltrato?
Parrafo # 6:
Describe el cuarto incidente en el que el la maltrato/acoso/abuso. Cuando fue? Donde fue? Que le hizo? Que le
dijo? Por que la maltrato? (Agrega mas parrafos si es que hubo mas de cuatro incicentes)
Parrafo #7:
Describa en detalle como le afecto emocionalmente y sicologicamente lo que le paso.
Parrafo #8:
Describa como le afecto fisicamente lo que le paso …
Parrafo #9:
Decriba como le afecto economicamente lo que le paso..
Parrafo #10:
Describe como coopero con la policía. Quien llamo a la policía? Que hizo la policía? Que le dijiste a la policía?
Que hizo la policía contigo? Fuiste a declarar? Si te tomaron fotos, si pusiste cargos, si te llevaron al hospital, si
te llevaron a tu casa. Escribe en detalle como ayudaste a la policía a que invstigaran caso.
Párrafo #11: Por que te quieres quedar en Estados Unidos y cuales son tus planes a futuro. Tienes hijos nacidos
aquí? tu esposa es nacida aquí? eres dueño de casa? Quieres estudiar? Quieres conseguir un mejor trabajo?
Quieres vivir en un país seguro y libre? Tienes amigos y familiares que te apoyan aquí?
Párrafo #12:
Pida perdon por sus inadmisibilades: Pida perdon por haber entrado sin authorizacion, por haber estado aqui sin
permiso, por no tener pasaporte etc…
Parrafo #13:
Escriba que espera que revisen su aplicación y que le den la oportunidad de quedarse en Estados Unidos con
una visa U.
84
Párrafo #14:
Escriba lo siguiente:
Yo, Elisa Esther Bello Duran, afirmo y juro bajo pena de perjurio que todo lo que he dicho es verdad y correcto
a lo mejor de mi conocimiento.
Agrege su firma y fecha
85
PREGUNTAS GUÍA PARA SU DECLARACIÓN
VISA U
Esta guía de preguntas está diseñada para ayudarle a pensar en el tipo de información que tendrá que incluir en su declaración por escrito. Su declaración es una narración de lo que le pasó. Conteste cada pregunta completamente. Usted puede usar sus respuestas para escribir su declaración. Simplemente tiene que seguir el orden de sus respuestas. Déjenos saber si tiene preguntas. PARTE A: INFORMACIÓN SOBRE USTED 1. ¿Cómo se llama usted? 2. ¿Dónde nació y en qué fecha? 3. ¿Cuál su estado civil? 4. ¿Cómo se llama su esposo (a)? 5. ¿Cuántos hijos tiene y cuáles son sus nombres? 6. ¿Cuánto tiempo vivió en su país y cuándo llegó a los Estados Unidos? 7. ¿Cómo entró a los Estados Unidos? 8. ¿Por qué decidió venir a los Estados Unidos? PARTE B: LO QUE PASÓ ANTES DEL CRIMEN En esta parta usted va a contestar preguntas sobre lo que pasó antes de que sucediera el crimen. Conteste las preguntas que apliquen en su caso. Conteste la siguiente parte si estas preguntas no aplican en su caso. 9. ¿Cómo se llama la persona que cometió el crimen en contra de usted y cuándo la conoció? 10. ¿Cómo y dónde conoció usted a esta persona? 11. ¿Dónde se veían, como es que se veían? 12. ¿Describa alguna actividad o lugar donde estuvieron juntos? De León & Nestor, LLC
3547 Cedar Ave. South. Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-822-6269
1
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PARTE C: EL CRIMEN En esta parta va a describir el crimen del que usted fue víctima a detalle. 13. ¿En qué fecha sucedió el crimen? 14. ¿En dónde sucedió el crimen? 15. ¿Con quién estaba usted? 16. ¿Qué estaba haciendo usted? 17. ¿Cuáles eran sus planes ese día? 18. ¿Qué fue lo que sucedió en detalle, qué le hicieron, cómo se lo hicieron, y quién? Mencione nombres, fechas, horas y lugares: PART D: COLABORACIÓN CON LAS AUTORIDADES En esta sección debe de contestar a detalle las maneras en las que usted ha ayudado a las autoridades a perseguir y resolver el crimen o delito. 19. ¿Quién llamó a la policía? 20. ¿Cómo se llamaba el oficial de policía con el que habló ese día? 21. Después del día del incidente, ¿se reunió o se comunicó con las autoridades que estaban investigando el crimen? ¿Con quién, en qué fechas, dónde y qué pasó? 22. ¿Arrestaron a las personas que cometieron el crimen? 23. ¿Fue usted citado (a) a declarar como testigo en contra de las personas que cometieron el delito? ¿Cuándo y dónde? 24. ¿Asistió usted a alguna corte relacionada a este delito? 25. Si la persona que cometió el delito no ha sido arrestada o castigada, ¿Está usted todavía dispuesto(a) a ayudar y colaborar con la policía o las autoridades correspondientes? ¿Cómo? De León & Nestor, LLC
612-822-6269
2
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PARTE E: IMPACTO FISICO En esta parta va a contestar si es que usted fue lastimado(a) físicamente por consecuencia del delito. 26. ¿Fue usted lastimado(a) físicamente? ¿Cómo? 27. ¿Fue llevado(a) al hospital o clínica como resultado del crimen? ¿A dónde fue y que le hicieron? 28. ¿Qué impacto han tenido sus heridas en su vida cotidiana? ¿Han impedido su habilidad para hacer algo? ¿Para trabajar? ¿Para hacer cosas cotidianas? PARTE F: IMPACTO MENTAL Y EMOCIONAL 29. ¿Fue usted abusado(a) emocionalmente? ¿Cómo? 30. ¿Cómo le afectó este crimen emocionalmente? 31. ¿Vive usted con miedo por consecuencia del crimen? Describa: 32. ¿Tiene usted pesadillas o temor de salir de su casa o de ir a ciertos lugares? 33. ¿Asistió o asiste a terapias o ayuda psicológica para superar el trauma del crimen? ¿A dónde? ¿Por cuánto tiempo? ¿Cómo le han ayudado? 34. ¿Cómo es que su estado emocional es diferente a comparación de antes del crimen? PARTE G: IMPACTO ECONÓMICO 35. ¿Perdió o lo robaron algo como consecuencia del crimen? ¿Que fue? ¿Qué valor tenia? 36. ¿En qué tipo de gastos incurrió como consecuencia del crimen? 37. ¿Dejó de trabajar y ganar dinero como consecuencia del delito? ¿Cuánto perdió en salarios perdidos? De León & Nestor, LLC
612-822-6269
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Research Solutions
February 2008
LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries
Winning U Visas: Getting the Law Enforcement Certification
By Gail Pendleton
This is the second in a series of articles on winning U visas. As noted in the first article,1
certifications by law enforcement are a requirement for U visa eligibility.2 While it’s helpful for practitioners to know what the law and regulations require, the key to obtaining
certifications is developing a good working relationship with your local law enforcement
offices.
This article will describe the law’s requirements, but primarily focus on strategies for
building relationships with law enforcement. Spending some time implementing these
strategies now will ultimately inure to the benefit of you and all your clients who must
work with the criminal justice system to obtain secure immigrations status. First, let’s review the U requirements.
Quick U Review. To win a U visa an applicant must show that she or he:
•
Is a victim of an enumerated crime or “similar criminal activity”;3
•
Possesses useful information about the qualifying crime;
•
Has been, is being, or is likely to be helpful in investigation or prosecution
of an enumerated crime;
•
Has suffered substantial mental or physical injury from that crime; and
•
Merits a waiver of inadmissibility.4
1.
Gail Pendleton on Winning U Visas After the Regulations, LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries (Jan. 2008). See generally
Charles Gordon, Stanley Mailman & Stephen Yale-Loehr, Immigration Law and Procedure § 28.02.
2.
INA § 214(p)(1), 8 U.S.C. § 1184(p)(1), referencing INA §101(a)(15)(U), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U).
3.
A future article will discuss the more subtle contours of the “victim" and “criminal activity” definitions, such as who “indirect victims” are and what “similar criminal activity” may count.
4.
INA § 101(a)(15)(U), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U). An applicant under sixteen may satisfy the information-possession and helpfulness requirements if his or her “parent, guardian, or next friend” provides the required assistance. INA § 101(a)(15)(U)(i)(III),
8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(III); 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(b)(2) (information possession) & (b)(3) (helpfulness).
LexisNexis, Lexis and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under license. Matthew Bender is a registered trademark of Matthew Bender Properties Inc.
Copyright © 2008. Matthew Bender & Company Inc. a member of the LexisNexis Group. All rights reserved.
-1 -
89
By Gail Pendleton
The law enforcement certification, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS)
Form I-918 Supplement B, supplies evidence on the first three of these requirements.5
The qualifying crimes (as well as attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation relating to them):
Rape
Torture
Trafficking
Incest
Domestic
Violence
Sexual assault
Prostitution
Holding hostage
Peonage
Involuntary
servitude
Slave trading
Kidnapping
Blackmail
Extortion
Witness tampering
Manslaughter
Murder
Felonious
assault
Obstruction of
justice
Perjury
Abduction
False
imprisonment
Female
Genital
mutilation
Certifications for Those Who Have Interim Relief. Those who won interim relief do
NOT need a new certification. As clarified by CIS VAWA adjudicators in its Q & A with
the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women,6 the old certifications
need not meet the requirements for certifications contained in the regulations (e.g., be
signed by a “supervisor"). You should, however, include a copy of the old certification,
and anticipate that CIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) if the original certification “did not address helpfulness or qualifying criminal activity sufficiently.”7
If your clients have continued to be helpful to law enforcement since they received interim relief, contact the officers/officials involved to find out whether they would be willing to provide additional support or sign the new Form I-918B.
Additional Evidence: Everyone Must Provide. Everyone, including those who won interim relief, should explore and submit additional evidence of victimization, possession
5.
8 C.F.R. § 214.14(c)(2)(i).
6.
“U Visa Q & A with CIS” on the Asista website, http://www.asistaonline.org.
7.
Id. at 4.
90
-2-
By Gail Pendleton
of useful evidence, and helpfulness, as well as substantial physical or mental harm.8
This might include court documents, including copies of evidence your client provided to
law enforcement, and declarations from others (besides law enforcers) who can corroborate and elaborate on the information supplied in the original certification.
Remember, also, that all U applicants must supply a personal declaration.9 If your interim relief application included all of this and you can’t find any more supporting evidence, make a copy of the interim relief file, submit it again, and explain how the evidence it contains meets the “any credible evidence” standard.10
Starting the U Cert Process: Use the Form. The first thing you should do in preparing
to work on the first three eligibility requirements is to review the Form I-918B. It is the
primary document law enforcement will see and use, and CIS will give it “significant
weight.”11 Focus on ensuring this document is accurate and includes as much information as the certifier is willing to supply.
As noted below, the regulations impose some extra-statutory requirements on law enforcement certifications, but the form is relatively straightforward. It is also a useful tool
for your first meetings with law enforcement people, since it answers some of the concerns they often raise when initially approached to sign certifications for undocumented
victims of crime.
Law Enforcement Does Not Grant Status. The form explains that while the certification is necessary for obtaining status, it is not sufficient in itself. This addresses a concern often raised by law enforcers that they will be giving status to noncitizens by signing a certification or that they will be liable if, for some reason, the victim is unqualified
for U status. The form explains that, instead, CIS will consider the “totality of the circumstances” in determining whether someone is eligible for a U visa.12
8.
8 C.F.R. § 214.14(c)(2)(ii) & (iii).
9.
8 C.F.R. § 214.14(c)(2)(iii).
10. 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(c)(4); see Pendleton, supra note 1, at 4; Paul W. Virtue, General Counsel, INS, HQ 90/15-P, HQ 70/8-P,
“Extreme Hardship” and Documentary Requirements Involving Battered Spouses and Children, Memorandum to Terrance
O’Reilly, Director, Administrative Appeals Office (Oct. 16, 1998), available at 1 INS and DOJ Legal Opinions § 98-14
(lexis.com).
11. 72 Fed. Reg. 53,014 at 53,024 (Sept. 17, 2007) (supplementary information).
12. Form I-918, Supplement B, Instructions (08/31/07), at 3.
91
-3-
By Gail Pendleton
Who May Sign Certifications. Certifying agencies include those that immediately
come to mind, such as federal, state, and local police and prosecutors, but the regulations also recognize that the statute permits other agencies to certify if they have the
“responsibility for the investigation or prosecution of a qualifying crime or criminal activity.”13 These include, but are not limited to, child protective services (CPS), the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Department of Labor (DOL).14
Judges also may sign forms,15 but practical experience teaches16 that most judges will
be unwilling to sign forms until a case is over to avoid the appearance of bias. Although
you should keep the range of certifying agency options in mind, your initial efforts
should focus on developing working relationships with local police and prosecutors,
since they are likely the first points of entry into the criminal system for most noncitizen
crime victims.
One main concern with the regulations is that they limit the class of those who may sign
certifications to heads of agencies “or any person(s) in a supervisory role who has been
specifically designated by the head of the certifying agency to issue U nonimmigrant
status certifications on behalf of that agency.”17 The statute does not contain this requirement. Fortunately, although the Form I-918B parrots the regulatory requirement, it
also states that “if the certification is not signed by the head of the certifying agency,
please attach evidence of the agency head's written designation of the certifying official
for this specific purpose.”18 This provides an opening for law enforcement to provide
certifications from those to whom a head of agency has delegated authority, regardless
of that person’s title.
While some form of quality control may be desirable, the practical problem with the
certifier restriction is that those most qualified to sign certifications at a particular law
13. 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(a)(2).
14. Id. These specific agencies reflect the interim relief experience, in which officials at the mentioned agencies certified that immigrant crime victims had been helpful in the investigation of crimes falling within the jurisdiction of those agencies, such as abusive sexual contact (CPS), sexual assault in the workplace (EEOC), and involuntary servitude (DOL).
15. 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(a)(3)(ii),
16. The author created and implements a curriculum for civil and criminal court judges on immigrant crime survivors, sponsored by
the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and funded by the Office
on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice. Contact the author, [email protected], for information on
this curriculum.
17. 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(a)(3)(i).
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enforcement agency may not be technically designated as supervisors. Experience
teaches this will be most problematic at district attorneys’ offices, in rural areas
where officers are geographically dispersed so that centralizing certifications will
thwart efforts to work effectively with crime victims, and at agencies that have specialized staff who work with particular victim populations, such as detectives focusing
on domestic violence who are not supervisors. These agencies should still be able to
provide certifications as long as the certifier has been designated as a U certifier for
that agency.
We hope that CIS will respond to the comments to the regulations highlighting this
problem by removing from the regulations and form the restrictive requirements. In the
meantime, work with your local law enforcement agencies to set up a system for obtaining certifications that provides the agencies with maximum flexibility in designating
who may certify while clearly showing that the head of the agency has thoughtfully
delegated authority to the officers he or she believed most qualified to certify.19
What Criminal Activity Qualifies? The supplementary information to the regulations is
more useful than the form or the regulations on this issue. The supplementary information points out that the statutory list of qualifying crimes
is not a list of specific statutory violations, but instead a list of general
categories of criminal activity. It is also a non-exclusive list. . . . [T]he
statutory list of criminal activity is not composed of specific statutory violations. Instead, the criminal activity listed is stated in broad terms. . . . In
addition, qualifying criminal activity may occur during the commission of
non-qualifying criminal activity. For varying reasons, the perpetrator may
not be charged or prosecuted for the qualifying criminal activity, but instead, for the non-qualifying criminal activity.20
Both the regulations and the form fail to mention that the crimes listed are just general
categories, not the specific names of the crimes as they appear in state statutes. Use
the supplementary information to explain this to law enforcement people and ask them
for examples they encounter that demonstrate the point.
19. Please contact the author, [email protected], if the regulatory limitations are inhibiting your ability to obtain certifications. This information will help inform CIS and Congress about why and how CIS must alter the regulations.
20. 72 Fed. Reg. 53,014 at 53,018 (Sept. 17, 2007) (supplementary information).
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By Gail Pendleton
Ask Them. An example that often works well is domestic violence. Here is a way to
present it:
•
What kinds of crimes do you investigate (or prosecute) as domestic violence in your jurisdiction?
•
Is it always called domestic violence? Are there other crimes that are
sometimes domestic violence?
•
For instance, do you sometimes investigate domestic violence as misdemeanor assault? Stalking? Choking? Strangulation?
Usually, by this point, they are thinking out loud and sharing other crimes that they’ve
used to pursue perpetrators of domestic violence. These will vary by jurisdiction and reveal crimes you may not have thought to pursue (make notes for future use). You can
then point out . . .
•
None of these crimes are specifically listed in the statute, but all of them
are domestic violence in particular factual contexts.
•
In some states, there are no crimes specifically called “domestic violence.”
•
As long as you are investigating or prosecuting a crime as a domestic violence crime it should count, but
•
You need to explain this when you fill out the form (use the empty boxes
or attach an explanation).
Investigation OR prosecution
•
Do you sometimes start out investigating a crime as domestic violence,
but end up charging for something else? I often hear about this happening
with drugs, for instance. Law enforcement is called to a scene of domestic
violence and finds drugs. Since you may be able to put the perpetrator
away for a longer time for drug trafficking or possession, that’s what he
ends up being charged and prosecuted for.
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By Gail Pendleton
•
This still counts, as long as you investigated domestic violence at some
point. It doesn’t matter if you end up charging for something else; it
doesn’t matter if there never is a prosecution.
Back to Congressional Intent
•
Congress wants this to be a tool for you to reach crime victims who are too
afraid to contact you, which is why it said investigation alone is sufficient.
•
The findings and purpose Congress included in the U law demonstrate
this point.21 The U is part of a decade-long effort by Congress to create
special routes to status for undocumented victims of crimes;22
21. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE(1)
FINDINGS- Congress makes the following findings:
(A) Immigrant women and children are often targeted to be victims of crimes committed against them in
the United States, including rape, torture, kidnaping, trafficking, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, forced prostitution, involuntary servitude, being held hostage or being
criminally restrained.
(B) All women and children who are victims of these crimes committed against them in the United States
must be able to report these crimes to law enforcement and fully participate in the investigation of the
crimes committed against them and the prosecution of the perpetrators of such crimes.
(2)
PURPOSE(A) The purpose of this section is to create a new nonimmigrant visa classification that will strengthen the
ability of law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute cases of domestic violence,
sexual assault, trafficking of aliens, and other crimes described in section 101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act committed against aliens, while offering protection to victims of such offenses in keeping with the humanitarian interests of the United States. This visa will encourage law
enforcement officials to better serve immigrant crime victims and to prosecute crimes committed
against aliens.
(B) Creating a new nonimmigrant visa classification will facilitate the reporting of crimes to law enforcement officials by trafficked, exploited, victimized, and abused aliens who are not in lawful immigration
status. It also gives law enforcement officials a means to regularize the status of cooperating individuals during investigations or prosecutions. Providing temporary legal status to aliens who have
been severely victimized by criminal activity also comports with the humanitarian interests of the
United States.
(C) Finally, this section gives the Attorney General discretion to convert the status of such nonimmigrants
to that of permanent residents when doing so is justified on humanitarian grounds, for family unity, or
is otherwise in the public interest.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-386, div. A, § 1513(a), 114 Stat. 1464, 1533 (Oct.
28, 2000) (emphasis supplied).
22. See Pendleton, supra note 1, for details.
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By Gail Pendleton
•
Let’s work together to make this tool as useful as possible, which means
you need to tell me what crimes are involved in particular cases. You are
the experts on this; not me.
This approach empowers law enforcers to make the U certification process their own.
They know more than you about the crimes that are occurring and how to use the criminal laws to address them. Acknowledge that expertise and use it. Ask them what crimes
they are seeing against immigrants; how would the U visa help them work with these
victims?
What is Helpfulness? Extra-Statutory Requirements. The statute (meaning Congress) leaves it to law enforcement to decide what’s helpful. For the most part, the regulations do so as well, but they add a requirement not in the statute -- an “ongoing responsibility” to be helpful, assuming there is an ongoing need.23 On the one hand, this
annoying extra-statutory requirement may not prove a real barrier in practice, since law
enforcers are unlikely to sign a certification for someone who they anticipate will not be
helpful. Moreover, many police officers and prosecutors know that not all victims are
prepared to do everything a prosecutor might like, especially in situations of domestic
violence and sexual assault. This does not mean those victims haven’t been helpful.
On the other hand, this extra requirement appears to give a green light to law enforcers
to use the certification as a weapon to coerce victims into doing things they do not feel
comfortable doing. Real situations in which this has occurred include actions that may
jeopardize victim safety or sanity, such as wearing a wire, testifying against a dangerous perpetrator, or subjecting herself to a rape trial in which her personal history and
reputation will be ruthlessly examined and criticized.24
The form also imposes an affirmative requirement on law enforcement to contact CIS if
the applicant unreasonably refuses to cooperate,25 a reflection of a requirement for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.26 The statute, however, imposes no
affirmative reporting requirement on law enforcement. If law enforcement wishes to con-
23. 72 Fed. Reg. 53,014 at 53,019 (Sept. 17, 2007) (supplementary information); Form I-918, Supplement B, Instructions
(08/31/07), at 3.
24. If you find this happening with your clients, contact the author, supra note 15. We will share with Congress and CIS the stories
of how the regulations’ misinterpretation of the law is harming the victims Congress intended to help.
26. INA § 245(m), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(m).
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By Gail Pendleton
tact CIS, it may do so at any time. This may help answer concerns about applicants using law enforcement just to get a certification. U status is not irrevocable, but law enforcement isn’t obliged to set up a tickler system for contacting CIS in every case where
it has provided a U certification.
Negotiating Helpfulness. Dealing with the confusing "helpfulness" instructions is one
reason you should work with advocates, as noted in the prior article.27 Domestic violence and sexual assault advocates have experience negotiating victim access and
helpfulness to law enforcement. They are better positioned to explain why victims, especially your client, may be unwilling to do exactly what law enforcement wants.
The more comfortable a victim feels working with law enforcement, the more likely the
victim will be willing to provide more help. Some law enforcement officials report that
they have found that signing certifications early on in the process encourages victims to
be more forthcoming. It also may undermine attempts by defense attorneys to use the
certification against victims, impugning their motivation and credibility in criminal court.
The earlier the certification is provided, the less it looks like a quid pro quo for testifying
against the perpetrator.
Contact Them Now. Having these conversations about helpfulness is another reason
you should contact law enforcers before you need a certification in a particular case. Discussions about immigrant crime victims, the realities they face in working with the criminal
system, and the needs of the criminal system in working with them will be more fruitful if
the discussions are not motivated by the need to make immediate decisions in an individual case.
As you can see from the example above of how to discuss qualifying crimes, one of the
keys to successfully building collaborations with law enforcers (or anyone, for that matter) is to let them come up with the ideas and solutions on their own. Your job, preferably with the help of an advocate, is to pose questions and present information, not lecture about what they should do. This presupposes you’ve already reached your natural
allies in law enforcement.
Reaching Law Enforcement: Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone. The traditional
lawyering model does not work well with immigrant crime victim cases. Knowing the law
is the easy part; having good social skills and taking the time and patience to use them
27. Pendleton, supra note 1, especially at 7-9 on partnering with advocates.
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By Gail Pendleton
is what will make the difference, and is what many lawyers find challenging about this
work. Specifically, you must be willing to:
•
Listen to people with whom you may have little in common;
•
Cede power to those with fewer “professional’ qualifications than you;
•
Go to meetings that may seem irrelevant to most of your work; and
•
Acknowledge that others know more about working with crime victims than
you do.
If this is uncomfortable for you, find someone who has the social skills to do it right,
most likely a client who already does it. You do a disservice to your clients if you insist
on being the “expert.” Moreover, one bad experience with a lawyer can permanently
sour a potential law enforcement ally’s willingness to help any immigrant crime victim.
In other words, what you do can harm a lot of people, so please be thoughtful and do
your social homework.
Find the Right Messengers and Allies.28 One place to start is to build relationships
with those already working with crime victims generally.
•
If you are not already working with individual domestic violence or sexual
assault advocates and agencies, make those connections now.29 Ask
them who they view as allies in the various criminal systems in your jurisdiction. It is not always the person you would expect.
•
Most jurisdictions have multi-disciplinary teams working to improve system
access to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Find out from
your advocate colleagues when these groups meet, and offer to do a presentation to them about immigrant crime victims’ new options.
28. Some of these practice pointers are excerpted from Collaborating to Help Trafficking Survivors: Emerging Issues and Practice
Pointers, 2006, a manual written by the author for the Family Violence Prevention Fund (available at www.endabuse.org).
29. Contact the author, supra note 15, if you don’t know who these people are in your area.
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By Gail Pendleton
•
The people from law enforcement who attend these meetings may be
good allies to approach for setting up meetings to discuss how you can all
work together to help immigrant crime victims.
•
Especially as sensitivity to gender-based crimes has increased, more
people concerned with curtailing such crimes have started working within
the criminal system. Don’t just look at the top; victim witness advocates in
police departments and district attorneys’ offices may be your best allies
and often need little convincing. They may, in turn, be able to influence the
rest of the system in which they work.
Backburner Your Stereotypes and Assumptions. Unless you have worked in law enforcement, you probably have stereotypes and assumptions about law enforcers that
will not prove helpful in building good working relationships with them. Because of the
emphasis on community policing over the past two decades, there are many different
kinds of people now working in the criminal justice system. Leave your assumptions at
home before approaching potential allies.
Conversely, realize that people in law enforcement probably have the same stereotypes
and assumptions about lawyers that you see in our general culture. They also may have
experienced only adversarial relationships with attorneys. You need to disarm these
stereotypes as soon as possible. The best way to do this, frankly, is to not “act like a
lawyer.” Be humble; ask for their help.
Find Common Ground; Acknowledge Differing Priorities. Tell them this law is for
them, not just for you and your clients (which is true), and you need to find out from
them how the U visa can help them. You are there to give them information on what the
law says and how the process works and are happy to answer any questions they have
about immigration laws and systems generally. This is essential to trust-building; if you
seem to be sharing information only selectively, they will not trust you because you appear to have an agenda and perhaps are manipulating them to achieve your goals.
Hear them on their priorities. Helping victims is only part of their job. They are also supposed to stop perpetrators and generally keep our society safe. You have some common ground, but you also have differing priorities. Acknowledge that you have different
jobs, but emphasize that by being honest with each other about your priorities, you can
figure out where you can and can’t work together.
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By Gail Pendleton
As you work together on common ground, you will find that ground expanding beneath
you. For one thing, you are learning to see the situation through their eyes, and vice
versa. For another, you are coming to trust each other. Do not underestimate the importance of maintaining that trust; cherish and protect it.
Realize there may be professional “cultural” differences. Try not to take offense at attempts at humor or other comments that are not meant to offend.
Nurture Trust. Building trust does not mean jeopardizing your clients; it means being
honest about your goals. Acknowledge that there may be legitimate differences in perspectives. Answer disagreements with reason, logic, and policy, not rhetoric. Don’t be
evasive: Be clear, up front, when you can’t discuss something because of client confidentiality.
Share who you are. Finding the common humanity in your allies makes doing the hard
work together easier and, sometimes, fun.
Admit when you are wrong, and that you don’t know all the answers. When mistakes
happen, which they inevitably do, acknowledge your role in them, derive lessons from
them, and move on. Create rules to avoid making similar mistakes again, and get back
to the common ground, common goals, and collaborative work.
Co-sponsor training for others. The best training sessions are those in which messengers come from all the systems working with survivors, including law enforcement and
advocates. By training together, you also are providing a model, an example, of effective collaboration and why it’s a good thing.
Help Make Connections. Invite them to come to meetings of immigrant community
groups or to speak on media that reach immigrant communities. It is vital that law enforcement and immigrant communities get to know each other. Trite but true: It’s the
personal relationships that break down the barriers. Warn the law enforcement person
who does this that he or she may become the sole trusted ally in the system for the immigrant community, and offer to provide help.
Create Accountability. Many collaborations have foundered when key individuals left.
Creating institutional accountability is the key to avoiding this problem. Turn your solutions into formal policies or protocols. Distribute them to everyone who should know
about them. Policies and protocols are invaluable tools for holding systems accountable
because they remain after you and your allies are gone, but others must know about
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By Gail Pendleton
them for your work to have lasting effect. Base your protocols on real cases and experiences, and modify them as necessary.
Conclusion. Building collaborations with law enforcement (and advocates) is challenging and time consuming, but will pay off in the long run, especially for your immigrant
crime victim clients. Approach the effort with an open mind and willingness to share and
learn, and you may find it personally rewarding. If you also help build trust between immigrant communities and the law enforcement systems that they may fear, you are
making a significant contribution to our society. Finding common ground and building relationships with people who are different from you is, after all, what makes democracy
work.
About the Author. Gail Pendleton is co-founder and Co-Chair of the National
Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women and Co-Director of ASISTA, a
national immigration law technical assistance project funded by the federal Office
on Violence Against Women. Formerly Associate Director of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, where she worked for twenty years, she
is now an independent consultant, providing innovative multi-disciplinary training
on immigration options for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. She received the American Immigration Lawyers Association's Human Rights Award in 2001. She received her J.D. in 1985 from N.Y.U.
School of Law and her A.B. from Harvard/Radcliffe College in 1981.
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Office of Communications
September 5, 2007
Fact Sheet
CERTIFYING U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS
U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (Form I-918, Supplement B)
An alien victim of criminal activity may file for U Nonimmigrant Status – status set aside for victims of
crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse because of the activity and who also are
willing to assist law enforcement agencies or government officials in the investigation of that activity.
In order to file for that status, the alien must provide a certification from a federal, state, or local law
enforcement official certifying the following:
•
•
•
The alien has been a victim of qualifying criminal activity;
The alien possesses information about the qualifying criminal activity; and
The alien has been, is being or is likely to be helpful to the investigation and/or prosecution
of that qualifying criminal activity.
This certification must be executed using the U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (Form I-918, Supplement
B). USCIS will give the certification significant weight during adjudication; however, it alone will not be the
sole evidence that a petitioner meets eligibility requirements. USCIS will look at the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the petition before rendering a decision.
It is important to note that a certifying agency is under no legal obligation to complete this certification.
However, the alien petitioner will be ineligible for U nonimmigrant status without one. The petitioner is
responsible for filing the completed certification with his/her initial Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
(Form I-918).
Certifications shall be prepared by the certifying agency and should provide specific details about the nature
of the crime being investigated and/or prosecuted and describe the petitioner’s helpfulness in the case. Form
I-918 Supplement B must be prepared by a certifying agency, and signed by a qualifying official within six
months immediately preceding the alien’s submission of Form I-918.
U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS CERTIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS
Qualified certifying agencies include:
•
•
Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies; or
Other agencies that have criminal investigative jurisdiction in their respective areas of
expertise such as child protective services, the Equal Opportunity Commission and the
Department of Labor.
www.uscis.gov
102
Certifying officials include:
•
•
•
The head of a qualifying certifying agency;
Any person in a supervisory role in a qualifying agency who is specifically designated
by the head of that agency to issue U nonimmigrant certifications; or
Federal, State or local judges
Certification must contain an affirmation of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The official signing the certificate is authorized to do so;
The agency is a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, prosecutor, judge, or other
authority having responsibility for the detection, investigation, prosecution, conviction, or
sentencing of a qualifying criminal activity;
The petitioner has been a victim of a qualifying criminal activity;
The petitioner possesses information regarding that activity;
The petitioner has been, is being, or will likely be helpful to the investigation; and
The criminal activity violated U.S. law, or occurred within the United States, or its territories
and possessions.
Qualifying criminal activity includes:
Abduction
Abusive Sexual Contact
Blackmail
Domestic Violence
Extortion
False Imprisonment
Felonious Assault
Female Genital Mutilation
Hostage
Incest
Involuntary Servitude
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Murder
Obstruction of Justice
Peonage
Perjury
Prostitution
Rape
Sexual Assault
Sexual Exploitation
Slave Trade
Torture
Trafficking
Unlawful Criminal Restraint
Witness Tampering
Other Related Crimes
Note: Certifying agencies must notify USCIS in writing if, at any time, the petitioner unreasonably refuses to
assist in the investigation of the criminal activity, or if the agency wishes to withdraw its certification for any
other reason. Send that notice (including the alien’s name, date of birth and A-file number (if available) along
with the reason for the withdrawal of the certification to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Vermont Service Center—U-visa Unit
75 Lower Welden St.
St. Albans, Vermont 05479-0001
103
Page 2
CUESTIONARIO PARA LA VISA-U
SOLICITANTE PRINCIPAL
Por favor conteste las siguientes preguntas en su totalidad. Trate de no dejar preguntas en blanco
y si tiene dudas o no entiende alguna pregunta déjenos saber para ayudarle. No tema contestar las
preguntas, el contestar una pregunta no lo descalifica para la posibilidad de obtener una Visa-U.
PARTE A: INFORMACIÓN SOBRE USTED
Nombre Completo/Legal:
¿Ha usado otros nombres?
¿Cuáles? ¿Qué papeles uso
en conexión con ese
nombre?
Estado Civil:
Fecha De Nacimiento:
Lugar De Nacimiento:
Nacionalidad (es):
□ Casado
□ Soltero
□ Viudo
□ Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Ciudad:__________________ Estado:_____________País:___________
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
Correo Electrónico:
(
(
)
)
PARTE B: SUS DIRECCIONES
Favor de escribir las direcciones en las que ha vivido en los últimos 5 años, empezando por la
más reciente. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
PARTE C: SUS ENTRADAS Y SALIDAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
Favor de escribir todas las veces que haya entrado y salido de Estados Unidos y si entró con o sin
permiso. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
1
De León & Nestor, LLC
612-822-6269
104
Primera Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
Lugar por donde entró/pasó:
Fecha de salida/regreso:
¿Cómo entró?
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
Si entró con permiso, ¿Cuál es el número de la
Tarjeta I-94?
Segunda Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
¿Cómo entró?
Tarjeta I-94?
Tercera Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
¿Cómo entró?
Tarjeta I-94?
PARTE D: CONTACTO CON INMIGRACIÓN
Favor de dejarnos saber si usted ha tenido contacto con las autoridades de inmigración en el
pasado. No tema en contestar estas preguntas. Sus respuestas son importantes para su caso.
1) ¿Ha sido detenido e interrogado sobre su estatus migratorio por algún oficial de inmigración?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y que Pasó?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
2) ¿Alguna vez ha estado en un proceso judicial para ser deportado por inmigración y sabe si hubo
una orden final en su caso?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y que pasó?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Alguna vez le han brindado salida voluntaria de Estados Unidos?
□Si, ¿Cuándo?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
PARTE E: TRAMITES ANTERIORES CON INMIGRACIÓN
1) ¿A usted personalmente tramitado solicitudes con inmigración en el pasado?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y qué tipo?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
2
612-822-6269
105
2) ¿Sabe si algún familiar suyo ha tramitado solicitudes para usted con inmigración en el pasado?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y quién?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Sabe si alguna otra persona o empleador ha tramitado solicitudes con inmigración para usted?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y quién?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
4) ¿Tiene usted un número de extranjero (Número A)?
□Si,
□No
Mi número es: _____________________________________
5) ¿Tiene usted un número de seguro social?
□Si,
□No
Mi número es: _____________________________________
PARTE F: DATOS SOBRE SU FAMILIA
ESPOSA/ ESPOSO
Estado Civil:
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Ciudad:__________________ Estado:______________País:___________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
(
(
)
)
3
612-822-6269
106
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□
□
□
□
Casado
Soltero
Viudo
Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
(
(
)
)
4
612-822-6269
107
PARTE G: MATRIMONIOS ANTERIORES
Por favor déjenos saber si ha estado casado en el pasado. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
MATRIMONIO 1:
Nombre Completo/Legal de
su Ex-Conyuge:
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Fecha De Matrimonio:
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Fecha De Divorcio:
Ciudad____________ Estado______Codigo:________ Condado:_________
Lugar donde se divorció:
Razón por la que terminó el matrimonio:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
MATRIMONIO 2:
su Ex-Conyuge:
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Fecha De Divorcio:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
PARTE H: INFRACCIONES Y ANTECEDENTES CRIMINALES
Las siguientes preguntas son necesarias para comprobar su buen carácter moral. No tema en
contestar con la verdad. Su respuesta no lo descalifica para la posibilidad de obtener una Visa U.
1) ¿Alguna vez ha cometido un delito por el cual no ha sido arrestado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________
□No, nunca
2) ¿Alguna vez ha sido arrestado, detenido, o citado por alguna autoridad?
□Si, ¿Cuándo, dónde y por qué?:_________________________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Alguna vez ha sido acusado de cometer algún delito o infracción?
□Si, ¿Cuándo, dónde y por qué?:________________________________________________
□No, nunca
4) ¿Alguna vez ha sido encontrado culpable de algún delito o infracción?
□No, nunca
5) ¿Alguna vez le brindaron opciones de sentencia alternativas o lo mandaron a algún programa de
rehabilitación, o clases como condición de su sentencia?
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□Si, Describa: ______________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
6) ¿Ha sido usted sentenciado a una condena aplazada, en libertad condicional, o en libertad
vigilada?
□Si, Describa: ______________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
7) ¿Ha sido usted condenado y pasado tiempo en la cárcel o en la prisión?
□No, nunca
8) ¿Alguna vez se le ha brindado un beneficio de amnistía, rehabilitación u otro acto de clemencia, o
alivio semejante?
□No, nunca
9) Si usted tiene inmunidad diplomática, ¿Ha ejercitado esta inmunidad para evitar un juicio por una
infracción penal en los Estados Unidos?
□No, nunca
PARTE I: PREGUNTAS DE PROCESAMIENTO
1) ¿Alguna vez ha recibido asistencia pública en los Estados Unidos del gobierno federal, estado,
condado, ciudad o cualquier otra fuente pública o es probable que usted reciba asistencia pública
en el futuro?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No
2) ¿Alguna vez ha participado en prostitución, en la incitación de la prostitución, o piensa participar
en la prostitución, o en la incitación de la prostitución?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No
3) ¿Alguna vez ha participado en apuestas ilegales o cualquier otro vicio ilícito comercializado?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
4) ¿Alguna vez ha usted conscientemente ayudado, promovido, inducido, asistido, o encubierto a un
extranjero a entrar ilegalmente a los Estados Unidos?
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□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
5) ¿Alguna vez ha traficado alguna sustancia controlada o ha ayudado, encubierto o conspirado para
traficar alguna sustancia controlada?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
6) ¿Alguna vez ha cometido, planeado, preparado, participado en, amenazado, intentado, o
conspirado a cometer, o conseguido información, o recabado fondos para algunas de las
siguientes actividades?:
a) ¿Para secuestrar o sabotear un medio de transporte (incluyendo aviones, barcos, o
vehículos)?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
a) ¿Aprender, detener, amenazar de matar, herir, o sigue deteniendo a otra persona con el fin
de forzar a otro individuo u organización gubernamental a que se abstenga de algún acto
como condición implícita o explícita para la liberación de la persona aprendida o
detenida?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Para Asesinar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Para usar cualquier arma de fuego con intenciones de poner en peligro, sea directa o
indirectamente, la seguridad de un individuo o dañar substancialmente a una propiedad?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Para usar alguna arma biológica o nuclear u otra arma o aparato peligroso con la
intención de poner en peligro, directa o indirectamente, la seguridad de un individuo o
dañar substancialmente a una propiedad?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
7) ¿Alguna vez ha pertenecido, recabado fondos, buscado miembros, apoyado o asistido a un
entrenamiento militar, o se ha asociado con alguna organización que sea designada por el
gobierno de Estados Unidos como una organización terrorista?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
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□No, nunca
entrenamiento militar, o se ha asociado con cualquier otro grupo de dos o más personas que esté o
no esté organizado, cuyo cual se haya involucrado en alguna de las siguientes actividades?:
b) ¿Secuestrar o sabotear un medio de transporte (incluyendo aviones, barcos, o vehículos)?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Aprender, detener, amenazar de matar, herir, o sigue deteniendo a otra persona con el fin
como condición implícita o explicita para la liberación de la persona aprendida o
detenida?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Asesinar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
e) ¿Para usar cualquier arma de fuego con intenciones de poner en peligro, sea directa o
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
f) ¿Para usar alguna arma biológica o nuclear u otra arma o aparato peligroso con la
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
g) ¿Para recabar fondos, buscar miembros, o de cualquier otra manera apoyar a una
organización terrorista?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
9) ¿Piensa usted participar en cualquiera de las siguientes actividades en los Estados Unidos?:
a) ¿Espionaje?
□Si
□No
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b) ¿Cualquier actividad ilegal o cualquier actividad cuyo fin sea el controlar, derrocar, o
estar en contra del gobierno de los Estados Unidos?
□Si
□No
c) ¿Cualquier actividad relacionada con el espionaje, sabotaje o violación de una ley de
exportación de bienes, tecnología o información sensible?
□Si
□No
10) ¿Alguna vez ha pertenecido o pertenece actualmente a un partido comunista o algún otro partido
totalitario, a menos de que su afiliación haya sido involuntaria?
□Si
□No
11) ¿Usted ayudó, mandó, incitó o de alguna otra manera participó en la persecución de alguna
persona por su raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenecía a un grupo social, u opinión política
estando afiliado a algún gobierno nazi de Alemania u otra organización o gobierno afiliado a ellos
entre el 23 de marzo de 1933 y el 8 de mayo de 1945?
□Si
□No
12) ¿Alguna vez ha mandado, incitado, ayudado o de cualquier otra manera participado en algún acto
que involucre lo siguiente?:
a) ¿Tortura o genocidio?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Matar, golpear, o herir a una persona?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Desplazar o mover a una persona de su domicilio por la fuerza, por medio de amenazar
con usar la fuerza, o por medio de la coacción o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Participar en cualquier tipo de contacto sexual o relaciones sexuales con una persona
que ha sido forzada, amenazada con usar la fuerza, o por coacción o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
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e) ¿Limitar o negar a una persona que practique sus creencias religiosas?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
f) ¿Perseguir a una persona por su raza, religión, nacionalidad, o pertenencia a un grupo
social u opinión política?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
13) ¿Alguna vez ha ayudado a alguna persona para que cometa alguna de las actividades de la
pregunta anterior o de alguna otra manera ha animado o instado a una persona a que realice
dichos actos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
14) ¿Ha usted estado presente o cerca de una persona al momento que esta persona fue?:
a) ¿Asesinada, torturada, golpeada, o herida intencionalmente?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Desplazada o movida a la fuerza de su domicilio, con la amenaza de usar la fuerza, o por
compulsión o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Obligada o forzada de alguna forma a participar en un acto sexual o a tener relaciones
sexuales?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
15) ¿Alguna vez usted o cualquier miembro de su familia ha servido, sido miembro o estado
involucrado de alguna forma con?:
a) ¿Una unidad militar, paramilitar, policiaca, de auto-defensa, patrulla ciudadana, grupo
rebelde, grupo guerrillero o alguna otra organización insurgente?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Una prisión, cárcel, campamento para prisioneros, centro de detención, campamento de
trabajo forzado o alguna otra situación que involucre el vigilar a prisioneros?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
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c) ¿Un grupo, unidad u organización de cualquier tipo para la cual usted u otra persona
portaba, transportaba o usaba algún tipo de arma?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
16) ¿Alguna vez usted ha recibido algún tipo de entrenamiento militar, paramilitar, o de manejo de
armas?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
17) ¿Está usted actualmente en procedimientos de expulsión, exclusión, pérdida de su residencia, o
deportación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
18) ¿Alguna vez ha estado en procedimientos de expulsión, exclusión, perdida de su residencia, o
deportación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
19) ¿Ha sido usted alguna vez expulsado, excluido, o deportado de los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
20) ¿Alguna vez lo han sentenciado a ser expulsado, excluido, o deportado de los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
21) ¿Alguna vez se le ha negado una visa o una entrada a los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
22) ¿Alguna vez algún juez del tribunal de inmigración le ha brindado una salida voluntaria y usted
no se fue del país dentro del periodo asignado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
23) ¿Tiene usted un juicio final o una pena civil por haber violado la sección 247C por producir y/o
utilizar documentación con el fin de cumplir ilegalmente con un requisito del Acta de
Inmigración y Nacionalidad?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
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24) ¿Alguna vez ha intentado conseguir o a ha conseguido una visa por medio de un fraude o
distorsión de un hecho sustancial con el fin de entrar a los Estados Unidos u obtener algún otro
beneficio de inmigración?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
25) ¿Alguna vez ha salido de los Estados Unidos para evitar ser reclutado por las fuerzas armadas de
los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
26) ¿Alguna vez ha sido un visitante de intercambio no-inmigrante de clase “J” sujeto a un requisito
de dos años de residencia en otro país y que aún no ha cumplido o que aún no ha obtenido un
perdón?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
27) ¿Alguna vez ha detenido, retenido o negado regresar la custodia de un niño a un ciudadano
estadounidense en donde el niño, estando fuera de los Estados Unidos, tiene derecho legal a la
ciudadanía estadounidense?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
28) ¿Piensa usted practicar la poligamia en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
29) ¿Ha entrado usted a los Estados Unidos como polizón?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
30) ¿Tiene usted alguna enfermedad contagiosa de importancia para la salud pública?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
31) ¿Tiene actualmente o ha tenido un trastorno mental, físico o de comportamiento (o que sea
probable que los antecedentes de comportamiento se repitan) relacionado con el trastorno que ha
sido un peligro para la propiedad, seguridad o salud de sí mismo o de otros?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
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32) ¿Es usted actualmente adicto y abusa de las drogas o ha sido adicto y abusaba de las drogas en el
pasado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
PARTE J: PREGUNTAS ADICIONALES
33) ¿Ha usted trabajado sin autorización en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
34) ¿Ha utilizado algún otro nombre para trabajar en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, ¿Qué nombres?: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
35) ¿Ha utilizado documentos de algún ciudadano o residente de Estados Unidos para trabajar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
36) ¿Como resultado del crimen del que fue víctima, a usted asistido a algún tipo de terapia o
consejería?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
37) ¿Como resultado del crimen del que fue víctima, recibió usted algún tipo de servicio médico?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
38) ¿Tiene usted pasaporte vigente?
□Si
□No
39) ¿Reciben sus hijos algún tipo de asistencia pública?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
40) ¿Cuánto gana usted al mes?
________________________________________________
41) ¿Tiene usted alguna crisis económica o deuda que no ha podido pagar?
□Si, Describa: _____________________________________________________________
□No
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PARTE : OTROS NOMBRES Y ASERCIONES DE CIUDADANÍA
1. ¿Alguna vez ha utilizado otros nombres para trabajar, conseguir un ID, o una licencia de
manejar?
□ SI
□
NO
Si si, escriba todos los nombres y las fechas de nacimiento asociados con estos nombres:
1._____________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________
5._____________________________________________________________________
2. Escriba todos los números sociales que haya utilizado para trabajar u obtener una ID, incluyendo
aquellos que sean falsos o que pertenezcan a otras personas.
Numero
Nombre Utilizado
Real o Falso?
3. ¿Alaguna vez usted ha se ha hecho hacer pasar por o dicho que usted es un Ciudadano de los
Estados Unidos?
□ SI
□
NO
Si si, describa cuándo, dónde, cómo y para que propósito lo hizo:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
¿Alguna vez ha utilizado documentos que usted crea puedan pertenecer a un ciudadano
estadounidense?
□ SI
□
NO
Si si, describa el tipo de documento, el nombre usado, y cómo lo uso:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
PARTE : HISTORIAL CRIMINAL
¿Alguna vez ha sido multado por violar cualquier ley incluyendo leyes de tráfico en los Estados
Unidos o en cualquier otro país? (Incluya todas las multas aun si estás las recibió usando otro
nombre)
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, complete la siguiente tabla con la información:
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Tipo de Multa
Fecha
(mm/dd/aa)
Lugar
(Ciudad - Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
Penalidad o
Multa que pagó
Nombre bajo la multa
¿Alguna vez ha sido arrestado en los Estados Unidos o en cualquier otro país? (Incluya todos los
arrestos aun si estos pasaron bajo otro nombre)
□ SI
□ NO
Fecha de
Arresto
(mm/dd/aa)
Ofensa
Lugar del Arresto
(Ciudad/Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
Agencia que los
arrestó
Nombre que usó
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PARTE : ASISTENCIA PUBLICA
¿Alguna vez ha usted recibido asistencia publica tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
temporal para familias en necesidad (TANF), Asistencia para familias con niños dependientes
(AFDC), etc. o cualquier otro tipo de ayuda del gobierno para su beneficio personal?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuándo: ____________________
Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
Total de dinero o asistencia recibida: $______________________________
¿Ha alguna vez su cónyuge recibido asistencia publica tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuando: ____________________
Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
¿Alguna vez sus hijos han recibido asistencia pública tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuando: ____________________
Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
PARTE : DECLARACIONES TRIBUTARIAS
¿Alguna vez ha sometido una declaración de impuestos con el IRS (Departamento de Tesorería
de los Estados Unidos)
□ SI
□
NO
Si si, escriba todos los años en los que ha declarado impuestos:
______________________________________________________________________________
¿Alguna vez a reclamado dependientes en su declaración de impuestos cuyos cuales no sean sus
hijos biológicos o familiares, o que no vivieron con usted por mas de seis meses durante el año de
impuestos que declaró?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, escriba todos los años en los que lo hizo:
______________________________________________________________________________
¿Le debe usted impuestos al IRS?
□ SI
□ NO
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Si si, escriba todos los años en los que debe impuestos y las cantidades:
______________________________________________________________________________
PARTE : GASTOS MENSUALES
Denos una lista de todos sus gastos mensuales. Esto no ayudara a determinar si usted puede
calificar para que no le cobren por sus aplicaciones en Inmigración.
Tipo de Gasto
Cantidad $
Tipo de Gasto
Cantidad $
Yo certifico que toda la información que otorgué en este cuestionario es verdadera y correcta a
lo mejor de mi conocimiento.
___________________________
Firma de Cliente
___________________
Fecha
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DOCUMENTOS PARA TRAMITAR LA VISA-U
A) DOCUMENTOS DE IDENTIFICACIÓN:  Copias de pasaporte vigente y pasaportes ya expirados  Copias de identificaciones que usted posea  Copia de su acta de nacimiento  Copias de visas o permisos que ha utilizado para entrar a los Estados Unidos  Copia de su acta de matrimonio, si está casado(a)  Comprobante de divorcio, si divorciado y piensa incluir a su presente pareja en su aplicacion B) DOCUMENTOS SOBRE EL CRIMEN Y COMO USTED SUFRIÓ:  Declaración por escrito sobre como usted fue afectado(a) emocionalmente y físicamente a causa del crimen.  Carta del consejero o terapeuta: Si a raíz del delito usted fue atendido/a por un consejero o terapeuta privado o por una agencia de servicios sociales, por favor consiga una carta de quien lo/a atendió en la que se especifique como usted sufrió emocionalmente.  Fotos que demuestren el abuso físico o daño recibido  Archivos médicos completos describiendo el tratamiento y las heridas que sufrió por consecuencia del crimen. C) ANTECEDENTES CRIMINALES:  Records de todos sus antecedentes criminales incluyendo infracciones de trafico, incluso si estas fueron bajo otro nombre.  Lista de todos sus arrestos y copias de los reportes de policía  Comprobante de que usted asistió a clases o programas requeridos por la corte tales como clases de alcholismo, etc. D) BUEN CARÁCTER MORAL Y PRUEBA DE SUS RAÍCES EN ESTADOS UNIDOS  Actas de nacimiento de sus hijos nacidos en Estados Unidos  Copias de actas de nacimiento, tarjetas de residente, o certificados de ciudadanía de familiares inmediatos. (Padres, Hermanos, Hermanas, Tías, o Tíos)  Diplomas del colegio o la high school  Diplomas o reconocimientos por algún tipo de servicio voluntario  Cartas de recomendación (Favor de ver el ejemplo).  Comprobantes de que usted es dueño de casa o de algún negocio E) DOCUMENTOS SOBRE SU ESTADO FINANCIERO:  Copias de su declaración de impuestos mas recientes  Copias de su W‐2 mas reciente  Copias de su talón de cheque mas reciente  Copias de recibos de todos sus gastos mensuales en el hogar  Comprobantes de cualquier deuda que tenga tales como cuentas medicas o prestamos.  Comprobante de que alguien en su familia recibe beneficios públicos tales como asistencia medica o estampillas. F) DOCUMENTOS PARA SUS DEPENDIENTES QUE INCLUIRÁ EN SU PETICIÓN:  Copia de pasaporte vigente y ya expirados  Copia de cualquier visa o permiso que tenga  Copia del acta de nacimiento  Comprobante de divorcio si su pareja, la cual incluirá en la declaración, tiene matrimonios anteriores  Récord criminal  Cartas de recomendación si es que tiene que demostrar buen carácter moral  Declaración por escrito pidiendo perdón por inadmisibilidades serias  2 Fotos Tamaño Pasaporte De León & Nestor, LLC
612-822-6269
1
121
SAMPLE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR U-VISA APPLICANT
Your full name and
contact information
and date.
Joseph Stevenson
1354 Cambridge St
St. Cloud, MN 55425
(320)-454-4521
November 25, 2011
First Paragraph:
Write about
yourself: Who you
are, where you
work, things you
do in the
community, if you
are a US citizen or
permanent resident,
how long you have
known the client
for.
Second
Paragraph:
Write how you met
the person and tell
a little bit about
your relationship.
Third Paragraph:
Write what you
think about the
person. Is he a
good person? A
good member of
the community?
Etc…
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to testify that I know Jose Hernandez. I am a line
supervisor at Lake Shore Foods and I have lived in St. Cloud since 1997. I
am a member of Queen of Angeles Church and I have two kids currently
attending Roosevelt Elementary. I am a United States citizen and I was
born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.
I met Jose Ramirez when he started attending my church back in 1998.
Jose was new to the community and I wanted to make sure he felt
welcomed. I invited him to participate in church activities and
celebrations. We volunteered together at different church events and he
has attended my yearly Independence Day barbecue every year since
1999.
Jose Hernandez is a good person. He is a loving father and a caring
member of the community. He is always willing to help others in the
community and he is a very good friend. He volunteers at church and
participates in his kids’ school activities. He works hard to provide for his
family. He is a very friendly person and he has a wonderful family. Jose
deserves to stay in the United States and obtain a U-visa. He would suffer
if he is forced to return to Mexico and our community would lose a caring
and respected member.
Sincerely,
Make sure
your letter is
notarized.
]ÉáxÑ{ fàxäxÇáÉÇ
SAMPLE LETTER OF SUPPORT
De León & Nestor, LLC 3547 Cedar Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55407
122
CUESTIONARIO PARA LA VISA-U
MIEMBRO DE FAMILIA
Por favor conteste las siguientes preguntas en su totalidad. Trate de no dejar preguntas en blanco
y si tiene dudas o no entiende alguna pregunta déjenos saber para ayudarle. No tema contestar las
preguntas, el contestar una pregunta no lo descalifica para la posibilidad de obtener una Visa-U.
PARTE A: INFORMACIÓN SOBRE USTED
¿Ha usado otros nombres?
¿Cuáles? ¿Qué papeles uso
en conexión con ese
nombre?
Estado Civil:
Nacionalidad (es):
□ Casado
□ Soltero
□ Viudo
□ Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Ciudad:__________________ Estado:_____________País:___________
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
¿Cuál es su relación con el
aplicante principal?
¿Desea usted solicitar un
permiso de trabajo?
(
(
)
)
□ Conyuge □ Hijo(a) □ Padre □ Madre
□ SI □ NO
□ Hermano(a)
PARTE B: SUS DIRECCIONES
Favor de escribir las direcciones en las que ha vivido en los últimos 5 años, empezando por la
más reciente. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
________________________________________________________________________
Calle y Número
Ciudad
Estado
Código
PARTE C: SUS ENTRADAS Y SALIDAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
Favor de escribir todas las veces que haya entrado y salido de Estados Unidos y si entró con o sin
permiso. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
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Primera Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
¿Cómo entró?
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
□
Con Permiso
□ Sin permiso
Tarjeta I-94?
Segunda Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
¿Cómo entró?
Tarjeta I-94?
Tercera Entrada
Fecha de Entrada:
¿Cómo entró?
Tarjeta I-94?
PARTE D: CONTACTO CON INMIGRACIÓN
Favor de dejarnos saber si usted ha tenido contacto con las autoridades de inmigración en el
pasado. No tema en contestar estas preguntas. Sus respuestas son importantes para su caso.
1) ¿Ha sido detenido e interrogado sobre su estatus migratorio por algún oficial de inmigración?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y que Pasó?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
2) ¿Alguna vez ha estado en un proceso judicial para ser deportado por inmigración y sabe si hubo
una orden final en su caso?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y que pasó?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Alguna vez le han brindado salida voluntaria de Estados Unidos?
□Si, ¿Cuándo?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
PARTE E: TRAMITES ANTERIORES CON INMIGRACIÓN
1) ¿A usted personalmente tramitado solicitudes con inmigración en el pasado?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y qué tipo?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
2) ¿Sabe si algún familiar suyo ha tramitado solicitudes para usted con inmigración en el pasado?
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□Si, ¿Cuándo y quién?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Sabe si alguna otra persona o empleador ha tramitado solicitudes con inmigración para usted?
□Si, ¿Cuándo y quién?: _____________________________________
□No, nunca
4) ¿Tiene usted un número de extranjero (Número A)?
□Si,
□No
Mi número es: _____________________________________
5) ¿Tiene usted un número de seguro social?
□Si,
□No
Mi número es: _____________________________________
PARTE F: DATOS SOBRE SU FAMILIA
ESPOSA/ ESPOSO
Estado Civil:
□
□
□
□
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Casado
Soltero
Viudo
Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□Casado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
(
(
)
)
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HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□
□
□
□
Casado
Soltero
Viudo
Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
HIJO (A)
Estado Civil:
(
(
)
)
□Casado
□Soltero
□Viudo
□Divorciado
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Nacionalidad (es):
Dirección:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Teléfono:
Celular:
(
(
)
)
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PARTE G: MATRIMONIOS ANTERIORES
Por favor déjenos saber si ha estado casado en el pasado. Añada otra hoja si necesita más espacio.
MATRIMONIO 1:
su Ex-Conyuge:
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Fecha De Divorcio:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
MATRIMONIO 2:
su Ex-Conyuge:
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Mes:___________ Día_________ Año____________
Fecha De Divorcio:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
PARTE H: INFRACCIONES Y ANTECEDENTES CRIMINALES
1) ¿Alguna vez ha cometido un delito por el cual no ha sido arrestado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________
□No, nunca
2) ¿Alguna vez ha sido arrestado, detenido, o citado por alguna autoridad?
□Si, ¿Cuándo, dónde y por qué?:_________________________________________________
□No, nunca
3) ¿Alguna vez ha sido acusado de cometer algún delito o infracción?
□No, nunca
4) ¿Alguna vez ha sido encontrado culpable de algún delito o infracción?
□No, nunca
5) ¿Alguna vez le brindaron opciones de sentencia alternativas o lo mandaron a algún programa de
rehabilitación, o clases como condición de su sentencia?
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□Si, Describa: ______________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
6) ¿Ha sido usted sentenciado a una condena aplazada, en libertad condicional, o en libertad
vigilada?
□Si, Describa: ______________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
7) ¿Ha sido usted condenado y pasado tiempo en la cárcel o en la prisión?
□No, nunca
8) ¿Alguna vez se le ha brindado un beneficio de amnistía, rehabilitación u otro acto de clemencia, o
alivio semejante?
□No, nunca
9) Si usted tiene inmunidad diplomática, ¿Ha ejercitado esta inmunidad para evitar un juicio por una
infracción penal en los Estados Unidos?
□No, nunca
PARTE I: PREGUNTAS DE PROCESAMIENTO
1) ¿Alguna vez ha recibido asistencia pública en los Estados Unidos del gobierno federal, estado,
condado, ciudad o cualquier otra fuente pública o es probable que usted reciba asistencia pública
en el futuro?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No
2) ¿Alguna vez ha participado en prostitución, en la incitación de la prostitución, o piensa participar
en la prostitución, o en la incitación de la prostitución?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No
3) ¿Alguna vez ha participado en apuestas ilegales o cualquier otro vicio ilícito comercializado?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
4) ¿Alguna vez ha usted conscientemente ayudado, promovido, inducido, asistido, o encubierto a un
extranjero a entrar ilegalmente a los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
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□No, nunca
5) ¿Alguna vez ha traficado alguna sustancia controlada o ha ayudado, encubierto o conspirado para
traficar alguna sustancia controlada?
□Si, Describa: ____________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
6) ¿Alguna vez ha cometido, planeado, preparado, participado en, amenazado, intentado, o
conspirado a cometer, o conseguido información, o recabado fondos para algunas de las
siguientes actividades?:
a) ¿Para secuestrar o sabotear un medio de transporte (incluyendo aviones, barcos, o
vehículos)?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
a) ¿Aprender, detener, amenazar de matar, herir, o sigue deteniendo a otra persona con el fin
como condición implícita o explícita para la liberación de la persona aprendida o
detenida?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Para Asesinar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Para usar cualquier arma de fuego con intenciones de poner en peligro, sea directa o
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Para usar alguna arma biológica o nuclear u otra arma o aparato peligroso con la
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
entrenamiento militar, o se ha asociado con alguna organización que sea designada por el
gobierno de Estados Unidos como una organización terrorista?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
entrenamiento militar, o se ha asociado con cualquier otro grupo de dos o más personas que esté o
no esté organizado, cuyo cual se haya involucrado en alguna de las siguientes actividades?:
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b) ¿Secuestrar o sabotear un medio de transporte (incluyendo aviones, barcos, o vehículos)?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Aprender, detener, amenazar de matar, herir, o sigue deteniendo a otra persona con el fin
como condición implícita o explicita para la liberación de la persona aprendida o
detenida?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Asesinar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
e) ¿Para usar cualquier arma de fuego con intenciones de poner en peligro, sea directa o
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
f) ¿Para usar alguna arma biológica o nuclear u otra arma o aparato peligroso con la
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
g) ¿Para recabar fondos, buscar miembros, o de cualquier otra manera apoyar a una
organización terrorista?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
9) ¿Piensa usted participar en cualquiera de las siguientes actividades en los Estados Unidos?:
a) ¿Espionaje?
□Si
□No
b) ¿Cualquier actividad ilegal o cualquier actividad cuyo fin sea el controlar, derrocar, o
estar en contra del gobierno de los Estados Unidos?
□Si
□No
c) ¿Cualquier actividad relacionada con el espionaje, sabotaje o violación de una ley de
exportación de bienes, tecnología o información sensible?
□Si
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□No
10) ¿Alguna vez ha pertenecido o pertenece actualmente a un partido comunista o algún otro partido
totalitario, a menos de que su afiliación haya sido involuntaria?
□Si
□No
11) ¿Usted ayudó, mandó, incitó o de alguna otra manera participó en la persecución de alguna
persona por su raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenecía a un grupo social, u opinión política
estando afiliado a algún gobierno nazi de Alemania u otra organización o gobierno afiliado a ellos
entre el 23 de marzo de 1933 y el 8 de mayo de 1945?
□Si
□No
12) ¿Alguna vez ha mandado, incitado, ayudado o de cualquier otra manera participado en algún acto
que involucre lo siguiente?:
a) ¿Tortura o genocidio?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Matar, golpear, o herir a una persona?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Desplazar o mover a una persona de su domicilio por la fuerza, por medio de amenazar
con usar la fuerza, o por medio de la coacción o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
d) ¿Participar en cualquier tipo de contacto sexual o relaciones sexuales con una persona
que ha sido forzada, amenazada con usar la fuerza, o por coacción o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
e) ¿Limitar o negar a una persona que practique sus creencias religiosas?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
f) ¿Perseguir a una persona por su raza, religión, nacionalidad, o pertenencia a un grupo
social u opinión política?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
13) ¿Alguna vez ha ayudado a alguna persona para que cometa alguna de las actividades de la
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pregunta anterior o de alguna otra manera ha animado o instado a una persona a que realice
dichos actos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
14) ¿Ha usted estado presente o cerca de una persona al momento que esta persona fue?:
a) ¿Asesinada, torturada, golpeada, o herida intencionalmente?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Desplazada o movida a la fuerza de su domicilio, con la amenaza de usar la fuerza, o por
compulsión o intimidación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Obligada o forzada de alguna forma a participar en un acto sexual o a tener relaciones
sexuales?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
15) ¿Alguna vez usted o cualquier miembro de su familia ha servido, sido miembro o estado
involucrado de alguna forma con?:
a) ¿Una unidad militar, paramilitar, policiaca, de auto-defensa, patrulla ciudadana, grupo
rebelde, grupo guerrillero o alguna otra organización insurgente?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
b) ¿Una prisión, cárcel, campamento para prisioneros, centro de detención, campamento de
trabajo forzado o alguna otra situación que involucre el vigilar a prisioneros?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
c) ¿Un grupo, unidad u organización de cualquier tipo para la cual usted u otra persona
portaba, transportaba o usaba algún tipo de arma?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
16) ¿Alguna vez usted ha recibido algún tipo de entrenamiento militar, paramilitar, o de manejo de
armas?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
17) ¿Está usted actualmente en procedimientos de expulsión, exclusión, pérdida de su residencia, o
deportación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
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□No, nunca
18) ¿Alguna vez ha estado en procedimientos de expulsión, exclusión, perdida de su residencia, o
deportación?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
19) ¿Ha sido usted alguna vez expulsado, excluido, o deportado de los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
20) ¿Alguna vez lo han sentenciado a ser expulsado, excluido, o deportado de los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
21) ¿Alguna vez se le ha negado una visa o una entrada a los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
22) ¿Alguna vez algún juez del tribunal de inmigración le ha brindado una salida voluntaria y usted
no se fue del país dentro del periodo asignado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
23) ¿Tiene usted un juicio final o una pena civil por haber violado la sección 247C por producir y/o
utilizar documentación con el fin de cumplir ilegalmente con un requisito del Acta de
Inmigración y Nacionalidad?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
24) ¿Alguna vez ha intentado conseguir o a ha conseguido una visa por medio de un fraude o
distorsión de un hecho sustancial con el fin de entrar a los Estados Unidos u obtener algún otro
beneficio de inmigración?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
25) ¿Alguna vez ha salido de los Estados Unidos para evitar ser reclutado por las fuerzas armadas de
los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
26) ¿Alguna vez ha sido un visitante de intercambio no-inmigrante de clase “J” sujeto a un requisito
de dos años de residencia en otro país y que aún no ha cumplido o que aún no ha obtenido un
perdón?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
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□No, nunca
27) ¿Alguna vez ha detenido, retenido o negado regresar la custodia de un niño a un ciudadano
estadounidense en donde el niño, estando fuera de los Estados Unidos, tiene derecho legal a la
ciudadanía estadounidense?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
28) ¿Piensa usted practicar la poligamia en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
29) ¿Ha entrado usted a los Estados Unidos como polizón?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
30) ¿Tiene usted alguna enfermedad contagiosa de importancia para la salud pública?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
31) ¿Tiene actualmente o ha tenido un trastorno mental, físico o de comportamiento (o que sea
probable que los antecedentes de comportamiento se repitan) relacionado con el trastorno que ha
sido un peligro para la propiedad, seguridad o salud de sí mismo o de otros?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
32) ¿Es usted actualmente adicto y abusa de las drogas o ha sido adicto y abusaba de las drogas en el
pasado?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
PARTE J: PREGUNTAS ADICIONALES
33) ¿Ha usted trabajado sin autorización en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
34) ¿Ha utilizado algún otro nombre para trabajar en los Estados Unidos?
□Si, ¿Qué nombres?: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
35) ¿Ha utilizado documentos de algún ciudadano o residente de Estados Unidos para trabajar?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No, nunca
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36) ¿Como resultado del crimen del que fue víctima, a usted asistido a algún tipo de terapia o
consejería?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
37) ¿Como resultado del crimen del que fue víctima, recibió usted algún tipo de servicio médico?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
38) ¿Tiene usted pasaporte vigente?
□Si
□No
39) ¿Reciben sus hijos algún tipo de asistencia pública?
□Si, Describa: ___________________________________________________________
□No
40) ¿Cuánto gana usted al mes?
________________________________________________
41) ¿Tiene usted alguna crisis económica o deuda que no ha podido pagar?
□Si, Describa: _____________________________________________________________
□No
PARTE : OTROS NOMBRES Y ASERCIONES DE CIUDADANÍA
1. ¿Alguna vez ha utilizado otros nombres para trabajar, conseguir un ID, o una licencia de
manejar?
□ SI
□
NO
Si si, escriba todos los nombres y las fechas de nacimiento asociados con estos nombres:
1._____________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________
5._____________________________________________________________________
2. Escriba todos los números sociales que haya utilizado para trabajar u obtener una ID, incluyendo
aquellos que sean falsos o que pertenezcan a otras personas.
Numero
Nombre Utilizado
Real o Falso?
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3. ¿Alaguna vez usted ha se ha hecho hacer pasar por o dicho que usted es un Ciudadano de los
Estados Unidos?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, describa cuándo, dónde, cómo y para que propósito lo hizo:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4.
¿Alguna vez ha utilizado documentos que usted crea puedan pertenecer a un ciudadano
estadounidense?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, describa el tipo de documento, el nombre usado, y cómo lo uso:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
PARTE : HISTORIAL CRIMINAL
¿Alguna vez ha sido multado por violar cualquier ley incluyendo leyes de tráfico en los Estados
Unidos o en cualquier otro país? (Incluya todas las multas aun si estás las recibió usando otro
nombre)
□ SI
□ NO
Tipo de Multa
Fecha
(mm/dd/aa)
Lugar
(Ciudad - Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/
/
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
Penalidad o
Multa que pagó
Nombre bajo la multa
¿Alguna vez ha sido arrestado en los Estados Unidos o en cualquier otro país? (Incluya todos los
arrestos aun si estos pasaron bajo otro nombre)
□ SI
□ NO
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Fecha de
Arresto
(mm/dd/aa)
Ofensa
Lugar del Arresto
(Ciudad/Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
/ /
_____________/_____________
(Ciudad)
(Estado)
Agencia que los
arrestó
Nombre que usó
PARTE : ASISTENCIA PUBLICA
¿Alguna vez ha usted recibido asistencia publica tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuándo: ____________________
Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
¿Ha alguna vez su cónyuge recibido asistencia publica tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuando: ____________________
Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
¿Alguna vez sus hijos han recibido asistencia pública tal como desempleo, Medicaid, asistencia
□ SI
□ NO
Si si,
Cuando: ____________________
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Donde: ____________________
De que agencia: _____________________________
PARTE : DECLARACIONES TRIBUTARIAS
¿Alguna vez ha sometido una declaración de impuestos con el IRS (Departamento de Tesorería
de los Estados Unidos)
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, escriba todos los años en los que ha declarado impuestos:
______________________________________________________________________________
¿Alguna vez a reclamado dependientes en su declaración de impuestos cuyos cuales no sean sus
hijos biológicos o familiares, o que no vivieron con usted por mas de seis meses durante el año de
impuestos que declaró?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, escriba todos los años en los que lo hizo:
______________________________________________________________________________
¿Le debe usted impuestos al IRS?
□ SI
□ NO
Si si, escriba todos los años en los que debe impuestos y las cantidades:
______________________________________________________________________________
PARTE : GASTOS MENSUALES
Denos una lista de todos sus gastos mensuales. Esto no ayudara a determinar si usted puede
calificar para que no le cobren por sus aplicaciones en Inmigración.
Tipo de Gasto
Cantidad $
Tipo de Gasto
Cantidad $
Yo certifico que toda la información que otorgué en este cuestionario es verdadera y correcta a
lo mejor de mi conocimiento.
___________________________
Firma de Cliente
___________________
Fecha
16
612-822-6269
138

LA VISA U - National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers

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