2010 U-Visa cap reached

Immigrants who have been victims of crimes are sometimes eligible for U-Visas, a special visa for crime victims willing to help authorities investigate and prosecute criminal perpetrators. The U-Visa was created as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. The recipients include victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human smuggling, and other serious crimes. This special class of victims has suffered substantial mental or physical injury as a result of the crimes perpetrated against it.

The yearly cap on U-Visas is set at 10,000. In 2007, the government didn’t issue any U-Visas, which resulted in crime victims’ attorneys suing the federal government. Then, in 2008, the government issued a mere 52 U-Visas. But in 2009, the government issued approximately 6,000 U-Visas. Now, in July of 2010, the government has already issued all 10,000 U-Visas available for the fiscal year. This exceptional turn-around is celebrated by crime victim immigrants and advocates alike.

Ali Mayorkas, USCIS director, attributes this significant increase to greater outreach and resources to crime victims and law enforcement officials.

Another 10,000 U-Visas will be available in October, when the 2011 fiscal year begins. Until then, U-Visa applicants are eligible for interim legal status, which will enable them to obtain employment authorization.

For more information on the U-Visa and the U-Visa cap, please visit:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iSMtGw6vbulOJDgNO5qktpdZNWMQD9GVHUHG0

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5d5d58a734cd9210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=a2dd6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=829c3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=829c3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

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