A U-visa is an important tool that could help you delay or prevent being deported from the U.S. If you are a victim of a crime, A U-visa could allow you to remain in the country while you assist law enforcement with prosecuting your case.
There are many steps in the Naperville U-visa case process. Each of them is important, and any mistake could cause your application to be denied. Before you apply on your own, consider discussing the process with a compassionate U-visa attorney. Our team members could answer questions and address what makes your case unique.
A critical aspect of a U-visa is cooperation with law enforcement. However, the federal government will not simply take an immigrant’s word for it that he or she is helping the police. To establish that one is actively assisting law enforcement, he or she must obtain something known as Form I-918 Supplement B.
Law enforcement usually provides this document to immigrants petitioning for a U-visa. To obtain this document, a foreign national should seek and communicate with the police department that he or she is aiding, usually the same agency where the crime was reported. A seasoned attorney in Naperville should help with this phase of the U-visa process since supplement B only becomes valid when a prosecutor signs it.
While completing supplement B is a crucial aspect of obtaining a U-visa, it is not the only important step to keep in mind. There are several key stages remaining, including:
The main document that an immigrant will fill out when requesting a U-visa is known as Form I-918. This form is lengthy and includes eight separate sections. For instance, the document asks about the petitioner’s address and whether he or she is currently being detained by immigration services. To keep their U-visa case process on track, an immigrant must file Form I-918 within six months of obtaining supplement B from law enforcement.
Many people pursuing a U-visa are already facing the real possibility of deportation and removal. In these cases, it is possible to petition the government to halt their removal while the U-visa application is pending. A foreign national can accomplish this by filing a document known as Form I-192.
Form I-192 is useful for anyone that is facing deportation due to a criminal arrest or a violation of immigration law. By filing this form, the government could agree to freeze—but not end—the deportation case against someone navigating the U-Visa process.
One of the downsides of the waiver process is that it can be expensive. While filing a waiver typically costs hundreds of dollars, it is also possible to avoid this fee entirely. For instance, the U.S government might decide to waive this expense for low-income U-visa applicants. Another thing to consider is that the waiver does not guarantee a successful U-visa application. For example, it is possible for a waiver to be granted prior to a denial of someone’s initial petition.
U-visa applications can take time. There are often significant delays in these cases, as there is a limit to the number of U-visas that the government will award each year. Our seasoned lawyers in Naperville understand this – they could fight to seek any necessary waivers and keep the U-visa case process on track.
One of the most important things to understand about the Naperville U-visa case process is that you do not have to navigate it alone. Your attorney could assist you with every aspect of the process.
From obtaining supplement B to filing Form I-918 and requesting your fees be waived, there are many ways that our hardworking lawyer could help. Reach out to our office today to discuss your case, have your questions answered, and schedule your initial consultation.
