Survivors of Certain Crimes

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Survivors of certain crimes are granted access into the United States through a special visa that is intended to maintain the safety of the victim. This visa grants lawful permanent residence to these survivors within the United States.

U Visa/Status – Victims of Criminal Activity

A U-Visa is one that is only allotted to a certain number of immigrants yearly and is for those who have suffered mental, physical, or emotional abuse and are aiding law enforcement in the persecution of the suspects and criminals at large. This status is given by the USCIS as a favor to those who assist the United States in investigative actions and it applies to both the victims and their dependents. These visas range from U1 to U5 in which victims can bring their spouse, children, parents, and siblings to the United States and the U-Visa can be applied for after arrival in the United States. However, if a person is residing in the US after facing physical or mental abuse, he can apply for U-status with proper legal counsel which our experienced firm can effectively offer.

Victims who have suffered mental abuse and cannot speak for themselves because of a trauma or disability can apply for U-Visa that allows their family members to assist them. This U-Status grants temporary lawful residence to the victims and their dependents and it also grants them employment authorization.

The U-status can be converted into Permanent Lawful Residence after a certain amount of time and under certain requirements. Hence, it creates a path for victims to get their Green Card. Our law firm can assist you if you have been a victim of any such crime and help you in getting the U-Status from the US Government. The number of Visas in this category is limited, but if victims help the government in investigation, they have a higher chance of getting U-Visa/Status.

These visas range from U1 to U5 in which victims can bring their spouse, children, parents, and siblings to the United States. If a person is residing in the US after facing physical or mental abuse, he can apply for U-status with proper legal counsel which our experienced firm can effectively offer. However, if the person isn’t in the US, he or she can apply for a U-Visa and can get the U-Status after arriving in the US.

Victims who have suffered mental abuse and cannot speak for themselves because of a trauma or disability can apply for U-Visa for their family members to assist them. This U-Status grants temporary lawful residence to the victims and their dependents. Moreover, it also grants them employment authorization.

The U-status can be converted into Permanent Lawful Residence after some time. Hence, it creates a path for victims to get their Green Card. Our law firm can assist you if you have been a victim of any such crime and help you in getting the U-Status from the US Government. The number of Visas in this category is limited, but if victims help the government in investigation, they have a higher chance of getting U-Visa/Status.

Empowering Lives Through VAWA

The VAWA violence against women act immigration is a federal act that allows victims of domestic abuse to become Lawful Permanent Residents in the US. The difference between VAWA and U-status recipients is that VAWA candidates must be in direct relation to a US citizen or LPR who committed violence on them. This also allows immigrants who have been subject to cruel behavior by a spouse, child, or parent to file a petition to become Lawful Permanent Residents without the knowledge of the abuser, known as VAWA self-petitioning.

The VAWA Act is applicable to those residing in the United States and those residing in foreign countries, however the process is different based on location. In cases where one applies from overseas, they will first receive a visa from the US Embassy and be granted LPR status upon arrival to the United States. To get this visa, one must fill and submit form I-485 to adjust your status in the US or to apply for LPR status.

The final decision for a VAWA visa is dependent upon the USCIS, their decision will grant you a path into the US and LPR status. Regardless of the decision made, VAWA vows to maintain special confidentiality protections under US Constitution, prohibiting the USCIS from disclosing the sensory information to any third party.

Our law firm can assist you in filing the VAWA petition and guide you through the proper paperwork for the procedure. We can make the immigration process faster and easier for you. Our experienced and skilled lawyers have expertise in immigration laws and can help you explore all your legal options and take a profound step towards your future safely.

It is applicable for both the people who are residing in the United States and those who are residing in foreign countries. In such cases, they will first receive a visa from the US Embassy and granted LPR status upon arrival to the United States. To be eligible for this status, you must fill and submit form I-485 to adjust your status in the US. The process is similar to Adjustment of Status but Bars of AOS don’t apply to the applicant.

The final decision remains with the USCIS. Their decision will grant you a path into the US and also the LPR status. VAWA Self-Petitioners are promised special confidentiality protections under US Constitution. This prohibits USCIS from disclosing the sensory information to any third party and proceed the case solely on the information provided.

Our law firm can help you in filing the VAWA petition and also in the proper paperwork for the procedure. We can make immigration faster and easier for you. We have experienced and skilled lawyers at our disposal who have expertise in immigration laws. They can help you explore all your legal options and take a profound step towards your future.

T Status/Visa

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act passed by Congress in October of 2000 allows victims of sex and labor trafficking to gain a temporary non-immigrant T-Status in the US. Those who have been fraudulently brought to the United States or scammed and enslaved into sex trafficking or hard underpaid labor can also apply for the T-status.

To be eligible for T-Status, individuals must help in the investigation against the human trafficking activities in order to bring justice to those at large. To receive T-Status outside of the United States can apply for a T-Visa through their US Embassy and will be granted T-Status upon arrival in the US.

This non-immigrant status can be eligible for up to 4 years, allowing people with enough time and a path to become Lawful Permanent Residents prior to the status ending. By having T-Status people are granted the benefits of the US Constitution and are authorized for employment in the United States, allowing them access to both Federal and State benefits.The dependents of victims inside or outside of the US can also apply for T-Status and can become Lawful Permanent Residents in the US.

Our trustworthy law firm can help you in establishing a case and filing a petition to receive T-Status. We can assist you with the paperwork and help you explore all the legal options to make this process faster and more reliable for you and dependents of yours.

However, to be eligible for T-Status, individuals must help in the investigation against the human trafficking activities in order to bring justice. People who reside outside of the US but have fallen victim to these criminal activities can apply for a T-Visa through US Embassy and will be granted T-Status upon arrival in the US.

People who are already here can get this non-immigrant status which can last up to 4 years. This status provides those people with a path to become Lawful Permanent Residents. Moreover, even in T-Status, people have benefits of the US Constitution and are authorized for employment in the United States. Hence, they can avail both Federal and State benefits.

The dependents of victims inside or outside of the US can also apply for T-Status and can become LPR in the US. Our trustworthy law firm can help you in establishing a case and filing a petition. We can assist you with the paperwork and help you explore all the legal options to make this process faster and more reliable.

Reach Out For Assistance

You can book a consultation with our lawyers by reaching us at 706-546-0999 or through email at sam@athensimmigrationlawyers.com. We are always available to provide you with the best assistance.