ORLANDO IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY DEFENDING NONCITIZEN WOMEN IN THE U.S
Unfortunately, immigrant women and girls have often been exposed to domestic violence, sexual violence, and other forms of exploitation which may occur due to the vulnerability of their noncitizen or illegal status. Under U.S. law, victims of abuse or certain other crimes may qualify for VAWA or the U Visa.
If you need legal advice regarding these types of immigration benefits in Florida or anywhere else in the U.S., you rely on Rodriguez Figueroa Law to lend you a helping hand. Our Orlando VAWA attorney has vast experience in handling such cases. Our firm provides thorough, informative, and compassionate legal services dedicated to fighting for your rights. We offer legal services in Spanish as well as English and offer payment plans to help ease your way through the U.S. immigration system.
NEED HELP APPLYING FOR A VISA UNDER VAWA? CONTACT RODRIGUEZ FIGUEROA LAW ONLINE OR AT (407) 634-4757 TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION.
SELF-PETITIONS UNDER VAWA
Under VAWA, you may submit a petition on your own for lawful permanent residency if you are a noncitizen victim of domestic violence. This can be done even if you are divorced and the divorce took place within two years of filing your petition. You will also be granted work authorization. You will have to demonstrate your eligibility to USCIS to be granted a green card.
WHAT IS THE U VISA?
The U visa was created under the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) in 2000 to protect immigrant victims of serious crimes and to encourage these individuals to report these crimes. As a victim, you can assist in the investigation and prosecution of the crime regardless of your immigration status.
Crime victims who can qualify for a U visa include those who are currently assisting or have assisted in the past or those who will be able to assist in the investigation or prosecution of the crime in the future. To apply for a U visa, a certification from a law enforcement or investigative agency is required that attests to your assistance in the investigation or prosecution of a qualifying crime.
WHAT CRIMES QUALIFY FOR U VISA APPLICATIONS?
- Abduction
- Being held hostage
- Domestic violence
- False imprisonment
- Female genital mutilation
- Involuntary servitude
- Kidnapping
- Murder
- Prostitution
- Rape/Sexual assault or sexual exploitation
- Torture
- Trafficking
- Unlawful restraint
Similar crimes and even attempted crimes such as conspiracy to commit, or solicitation to commit could also be listed as criminal activity that qualifies a victim for U visa eligibility. Any local, state, or federal law enforcement officer, as well as judges and prosecutors, can certify you for U visa eligibility. Merely being certified as being eligible for a U visa does not automatically grant you this immigration benefit. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will examine all of the evidence and the certification to determine whether your U Visa should be granted.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE U VISA?
U Visa, provide eligible victims of a crime with nonimmigrant status for a period of four years. This allows an individual to temporarily remain in the U.S., usually for up to 4 years. As a recipient of the U visa, an individual is also eligible for a work authorization. If certain conditions are met, you may also then be eligible to adjust your status to that of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) after three years. In addition, certain members of your family may also be eligible to live and work in the U.S. as “derivative” recipients of the U visa due to their relationship to you.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE U VISA?
In order to apply for the U visa, it is not necessary for you as the victim to be related to the perpetrator of the crime. Nor is the immigration status of the perpetrator relevant to your eligibility. The perpetrator does not need to have legal status. This is different from VAWA self-petitions which are limited to immigrant victims who are married to abusive spouses that are U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS A VICTIM OF A CRIME OR IS AN ABUSED SPOUSE, CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS UNDER U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS. CONTACT US AT (407) 634-4757 TODAY.
RODRIGUEZ FIGUEROA LAW IS HERE FOR YOU.
At Rodriguez Figueroa Law we are ready to give you the support you need with any of your immigration needs, so that you can reach your American Dream.
CONTACT US
Helping You Reach Your American Dream.
We want to review your case and be sure to explore all options available to you. Your case matters to us. Our team gives your case the time, attention, and detail it deserves. Contact us today for a consultation.
OFFICE LOCATION
301 N Fern Creek Ave
Suite #6
Orlando, FL 32803
407-634-4757
CONTACT US
Helping You Reach Your American Dream.
We want to review your case and be sure to explore all options available to you. Your case matters to us. Our team gives your case the time, attention, and detail it deserves. Contact us today for a consultation.