Amidst the wave of deportations ordered by President Donald Trump in the United States, it is important for immigrants to know their immigration status and the different processes to legalize their status. Therefore, foreigners who have collaborated with the justice system in criminal investigations or have been victims of serious crimes should know that they may be eligible for certain types of visas to obtain a Green Card or residency.
The process can be done through Adjustment of Status, as explained by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Cuban Directory explained that the three types of visas that can help obtain the Green Card are the ‘S’ Visa, the ‘T’ Visa, and the ‘U’ Visa. Each of these has its own requirements and is aimed at specific individuals.
Visas ‘S’, ‘T’, and ‘U’ provide protection to immigrants and offer the opportunity for permanent residency to legalize their stay in this country.
Process for visas for immigrant collaborators with criminal investigations
According to Cuban Directory, the process for visas for immigrants who have collaborated with the justice system and their processes is as follows.
-Visa ‘S’: This visa is for immigrants who have provided key information to the government, federal agencies, or the police about criminal groups or criminal cases. USCIS indicated that it is requested through the sponsorship of a law enforcement agency, meaning the immigrant cannot apply for it directly. This visa grants permission to work in the United States, allows for applying for a Green Card, and in some cases, permits certain family members to be included.
Among the requirements for the ‘S’ Visa are: having credible information about a significant criminal activity, providing substantial cooperation to authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crime, being sponsored by a government or law enforcement agency.
-T Visa: This visa is for those who have been victims of human trafficking and are in the United States for this reason; also for those who have suffered domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, and extortion. Initially, it grants immigrants the right to be in the United States for four years, but then gives them the option to stay permanently. To apply for it, the person must demonstrate that they were or are a victim of one of the mentioned crimes, and if they cooperate in locating the perpetrators, they have a better chance of being granted the visa.
Immigrants with a ‘T’ visa have permission to work, access to federal assistance programs, can include relatives, and will have protection.
-U Visa: Just like the T Visa, applicants must demonstrate their eligibility through documentary and testimonial evidence. The steps for the U Visa are as follows:
-Submit Form I-918 to USCIS.
- Obtain certification from a law enforcement agency confirming the applicant’s cooperation in the investigation of the crime.
-Meeting the eligibility requirements, including not posing a threat to public safety.
-Process for applying for these visas
Those interested in the U visa must meet the admissibility requirements established in the Immigration and Nationality Act. In certain cases, it is possible to request a waiver of certain legal impediments through specific forms from USCIS.