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Big immigration news just dropped! A leaked ICE memo is stirring up confusion online, especially for those with pending U Visa, VAWA, or T Visa cases. If you're in this category, you need to know what’s happening—this change could directly impact your case.
Unfortunately, misinformation is already spreading across social media. Some influencers are falsely claiming that Trump has ordered the deportation of all U Visa applicants or that the U Visa program has been eliminated. This is NOT true!
If you want accurate immigration news, always rely on trusted sources like experienced immigration attorneys, reputable news outlets, or journalists who specialize in immigration matters. Don't fall for clickbait or rumors!
Now, let's break down the real policy change and what it means for you.
What Was the Previous ICE Policy?
In 2021, ICE introduced a victim-centered approach to handling cases involving immigrant victims of crime, including applicants for U Visas, VAWA, and T Visas.
Under this policy, ICE had to:
✅ Investigate whether a detained person was a crime victim or had a pending U, VAWA, or T Visa case.
✅ Contact USCIS (Vermont Service Center) to confirm the status of a case.
✅ Grant discretionary relief (like deferred action) if the case had approval potential—even if it was still pending.
This meant that ICE was responsible for verifying a person’s case status and working with USCIS to prevent unnecessary detentions and deportations.
What’s Changing with the New ICE Memo?
The new policy removes ICE’s responsibility to verify an immigrant's case status. Instead, the burden of proof is now on the immigrant to show they have a pending or approved case.
Here’s what this means for you:
❌ ICE no longer has to check whether a detained individual has a U, VAWA, or T Visa application.
❌ ICE will not contact USCIS to confirm if your case is valid.
❌ If you cannot immediately prove your case status, you could be detained or deported—even if your case is legitimate.
This change puts many immigrants at higher risk of deportation simply because they may not have their documents on hand when questioned by ICE.
How to Protect Yourself Under the New ICE Policy
Since ICE will no longer verify your case status, you must be prepared to prove it yourself. Here’s what you need to do:
✅ Always carry a valid ID – This could be a driver’s license, work permit, or any government-issued identification. If you don’t have a U.S. ID, carry an ID from your home country (like a passport or consular card).
✅ Keep a copy of your immigration case receipt – If you have a pending U Visa, VAWA, or T Visa case, print and carry a color copy of your USCIS receipt notice.
✅ If your case is approved, carry proof of approval – If you’ve been approved but don’t have a work permit yet, carry a copy of your approval notice to show immigration officials.
✅ Store your documents safely and accessibly – Consider using a small document pouch (like the ones travelers use for passports) to keep your ID and immigration paperwork on you at all times.
This simple preparation could make the difference between staying safe or facing unnecessary detention.
What This Change Means for Immigrants
The U Visa, VAWA, and T Visa programs are NOT being eliminated, but it’s now much harder to avoid detention if you can’t quickly prove your case status.
Do not assume that ICE will check your records for you. Take action now by keeping your documents with you at all times and staying informed through reliable sources.
If you or someone you know has a pending immigration case, share this information—it could make all the difference!
Need legal advice? Contact Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. at (855) 910-8244 to schedule a consultation. We serve clients nationwide.
Stay informed and stay safe!