U Visa Lawyers in Oakland Serving Clients Throughout California

The risk of deportation exists for far too many immigrants in America. There may be many ways to protect yourself from being deported, though not everyone is eligible for each defense. For immigrants who were victims of crime in the United States, one such legal option is the U visa.

Being the victim of a serious crime or the survivor of horrifying violence can be enough to break some people. Coupling that event with the risk of seeing yourself deported while your attacker still walks the streets is simply too much. While no one wants to be the victim of such crimes, the U visa can at least help ensure that deportation need not be a point of concern following your ordeal.

Not every individual and not every crime qualifies, however. To learn more about eligibility, you should speak to an immigration attorney. Call Landerholm Immigration at 510-488-1020 to discuss your options.

What Are the Benefits of a U Visa?

In addition to providing the recipient with lawful status in this country for four years, the U visa affords other benefits to immigrants eligible to receive it.

• Authorization for legal work in the US
• Eligibility for lawful permanent residency via adjustment of status
• U visa benefits for qualifying family members

Contact our Oakland office to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our immigration lawyers.

Who Qualifies for U Visas?

If you are legally eligible for a U visa, you may be able to avoid being deported from the United States of America. U visas are exclusively reserved for non-US citizens who have been harmed in a serious crime during their time on American soil.

Requirements for a U visa include:

• You must have been the victim of a qualifying crime.
• You must have suffered serious physical or mental harm because of the qualifying crime.
• You have information about the crime that has been helpful, will be helpful, or could be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
• You have received a certification from a federal, state, or local law enforcement authority stating that you have been helpful in their investigation.
• You must be either admissible to the United States or have a waiver of inadmissibility. What this means is that you must not have a serious criminal history or a history of immigration offenses.

If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for a U visa regardless of your legal immigration status. A U visa is like personal amnesty and can help secure work and protection from deportation for victims of crimes.

Certain family members may qualify to become derivative U visa recipients if they meet other criteria. If you believe you may qualify, please contact the Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. U-visa lawyers.

What Types of Crimes Qualify?

Not every crime qualifies immigrants for a U visa. The list of qualifying crimes includes:

• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Blackmail
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Extortion
• Incest
• Involuntary servitude and forced labor
• Kidnapping, abduction, and false imprisonment
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• Obstruction of justice
• Perjury
• Prostitution
• Rape
• Sex abuse
• Sexual assault
• Slave trade
• Stalking
• Torture
• Trafficking and the sex trade
• Witness tampering
• Other Related Crimes

It falls on the victim to prove substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the crime. Medical records and other evidence could be useful in proving such injury claims. Speak to our immigration attorneys to learn more about eligibility.

Speak to an Immigration Lawyer About U Visa Eligibility Today

Being the victim of a serious crime can forever alter a person’s life. Some crimes leave lasting physical injuries that make it difficult to make a living. And sometimes the mental scars are even more debilitating. No one in these circumstances should also have to live in fear of deportation.

Regardless of your legal immigration status in America, if you’ve been the victim of a serious crime, you may be eligible to receive a U visa. This immigration visa is exclusively for victims of crimes and can protect you from the risk of deportation for a number of years. However, certain requirements must be considered, and your attorney will be able to best help make sure you check all the necessary boxes.

To speak with a U visa lawyer in Oakland, CA, please call the legal offices of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. Our team of lawyers and associates has years of experience helping clients with immigration law issues. To schedule a free evaluation, please call 510-488-1020.