Since 2016, Mendoza Law has represented immigrants through evidence-heavy humanitarian cases, drawing on more than 100 years of combined legal experience.
Our U visa lawyers in Kendall help crime victims determine whether they qualify, request law enforcement certification, prepare supporting evidence, and address immigration concerns that could affect approval.
Contact our firm to request a consultation with our Kendall humanitarian visa lawyers.
How U Nonimmigrant Status May Protect Crime Victims
Our Kendall immigration lawyers help crime victims understand whether U nonimmigrant status may provide a lawful way to remain in the United States after serious abuse.
This protection is available to certain victims who suffered substantial physical or mental harm and assisted, are assisting, or are likely to assist authorities with qualifying criminal activity.
For eligible applicants, U status may provide temporary lawful status and employment authorization. Principal applicants are generally granted status for up to four years, and some may later apply for lawful permanent residence after meeting the applicable requirements.
Who Can Qualify for a U Visa?
You may qualify if you can establish that:
- You were the victim of qualifying criminal activity.
- The crime occurred in the United States, a U.S. territory, or violated federal law.
- You suffered substantial physical or mental abuse because of the crime.
- You possess credible and reliable information about the criminal activity.
- You were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to an authorized agency.
- The crime was detected, investigated, prosecuted, convicted, or sentenced by an authorized agency.
- You are admissible to the United States or qualify for a waiver.
USCIS reviews the full record. Our Kendall U visa attorneys can determine whether the crime, resulting harm, certification, and available evidence satisfy each requirement.
Law Enforcement Certification
A U visa petition must include Form I-918 Supplement B, signed by an authorized certifying official. The certification confirms that you possess information about qualifying criminal activity and have been, are being, or are likely to be helpful.
The certification does not approve your petition. USCIS independently decides whether every requirement has been met.
Certifying agencies may include:
- Police departments.
- Prosecutors’ offices.
- Judges.
- Federal, state, or local investigative agencies.
- Child or adult protective services.
- Labor enforcement agencies.
- Other authorities responsible for detecting, investigating, prosecuting, convicting, or sentencing qualifying crimes.
The signed form must generally be submitted within six months of the certifying official’s signature. A U visa attorney in Kendall can identify the appropriate agency, prepare the request, and address questions about your cooperation.
Evidence Our Kendall U Visa Lawyers Use to Prove Substantial Abuse
USCIS evaluates the nature and severity of the injury, the duration of the harm, any lasting effects, and the circumstances surrounding the crime. A single serious incident may qualify, while repeated conduct may demonstrate cumulative harm.
Supporting evidence may include:
- A detailed personal declaration.
- Police reports and incident records.
- Medical or hospital documents.
- Counseling or psychological records.
- Photographs, videos, messages, or recordings.
- Protective orders and court filings.
- Statements from witnesses, advocates, relatives, or service providers.
- Records showing missed work, relocation, or other effects on daily life.
We compare every document with your declaration and prior immigration records. This disciplined review helps us identify inconsistencies before USCIS does.
Can Prior Immigration Violations Affect Eligibility?
Unlawful entry, unlawful presence, a removal order, misrepresentation, or certain criminal conduct may create inadmissibility concerns. These facts do not always prevent a U visa petition because many grounds may be waived through Form I-192.
Waiver approval is discretionary. USCIS may consider the reason for the request, your personal history, public-safety concerns, the crime you experienced, and other favorable or unfavorable facts.
Mendoza Law reviews immigration and criminal records before filing. We also maintain strict case-acceptance standards and do not accept U visa representation involving sex offenses, drug-possession charges, gun-related charges, or serious felonies committed in the United States.
U Visa Options for Qualifying Family Members
A principal applicant may request derivative U status for certain relatives. Available categories depend on the applicant’s age when the principal petition is filed.
An applicant younger than 21 may petition for:
- A spouse.
- Unmarried children younger than 21.
- Parents.
- Unmarried siblings younger than 18.
An applicant who is 21 or older may petition for:
- A spouse.
- Unmarried children younger than 21.
Each relative needs a separate Form I-918 Supplement A and must address admissibility. Our T visa attorneys in Kendall can review family eligibility, relationship documents, and any waiver concerns before the filings are submitted.
The Annual U Visa Limit and USCIS Review
Federal law limits principal U visa approvals to 10,000 each fiscal year. Derivative relatives are not counted toward that limit. Because demand exceeds the annual number available, applicants may wait years for final approval.
USCIS may review a petition for a bona fide determination. A qualifying applicant who receives a favorable discretionary decision may be granted deferred action and employment authorization while waiting. Applicants who do not receive that determination may later be reviewed for waiting-list placement.
Neither process equals final U visa approval. Our legal team prepares the initial petition as a complete evidentiary filing rather than assuming missing information can be supplied later.
Applying for Permanent Residence After U Status
A U visa recipient may become eligible to apply for a green card after at least three years of continuous physical presence in U status. The applicant must also satisfy additional conditions, including continued cooperation with reasonable law enforcement requests unless an exception applies.
USCIS must determine that continued residence is justified on humanitarian grounds, to preserve family unity, or in the public interest. Travel, criminal conduct, and other events during U status can affect eligibility.
Speak With a Kendall U Visa Attorney
Mendoza Law provides selective, strategy-driven representation for crime victims seeking U nonimmigrant status. We examine the certification, immigration history, abuse evidence, waiver needs, and family options before deciding how the case should proceed.
Contact our firm to consult with Attorney Maria and our legal team during a free case evaluation. We will listen to your account, assess the evidence, and explain whether we believe we can build a credible petition for you.