U Visa Certification Request Information
What is a U nonimmigrant visa (also known as a U Visa)?
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000 was enacted to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute serious crimes and trafficking in persons, while offering protections to victims of such crimes without the immediate risk of being removed from the country. A U-Visa is a temporary visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to victims of certain crimes, providing temporary legal status and eligibility to work in the United States for up to 4 years.
Who is eligible for a U Visa?
USCIS may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:
- Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity;
- Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity;
- Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
- The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.
Qualifying Criminal Activities
The following are qualifying criminal activities:
- rape
- torture
- trafficking
- incest
- domestic violence
- sexual assault
- abusive sexual conduct prostitution
- sexual exploitation
- female genital mutilation
- being held hostage
- peonage
- involuntary servitude
- slave trade
- kidnapping
- abduction
- unlawful criminal restraint
- false imprisonment
- blackmail
- extortion
- manslaughter
- murder
- felonious assault
- witness tampering
- obstruction of justice
- perjury
- fraud in foreign labor contracting
- stalking
*Including any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar; or the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above and other related crimes. Additionally, crimes that are “substantially similar” to those listed above may also qualify.
Submitting U Visa Certifications (USCIS Form I-918, Supplement B)
Please read the information below prior to submitting a U-Visa Certification request to the Berwyn Police Department:
- Verify that the case in question was handled by the Berwyn Police Department. If the case was not investigated by the Berwyn Police Department, then this is not the correct police department to handle your certification request.
- Verify that you or your client was a victim of a qualifying crime (listed above).
- Verify that you or your client was helpful in the prosecution of the case, specifically, you or your client has not refused to provide information reasonably requested by law enforcement or the Berwyn Police Department.
If all of the above can be verified, then you or your client need to submit the following:
- proof of a current ID
- copy of the police report
- contact information (current phone # and address)
- completed Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification (form must be printed out from website https://www.uscis.gov/I-918 )
You must make an appointment with the administrative assistant in the Criminal Investigations Unit prior to bringing all the required documents. To make arrangements or if you have other questions call 708.795.2115.
Information Provided By:
Cook County Sheriff Office Website
https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/departments/c-c-s-p-d/u-visa-information/