USCIS announced this week that it has approved 10,000 petitions for the
U Visa in Fiscal Year 2010, marking the first time that the federal
agency has reached the statutory maximum for that visa category. The U
Visa was created in the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection
act, which was legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement’s
ability to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual
assault, human trafficking and other crimes, while providing protection
to the victims of those crimes.
“Through the U visa, USCIS is able to provide crime victims with
critical immigration protection, allowing law enforcement officials to
protect victims and bring the perpetrators of crimes to justice,” said
Alejandro Mayorkas, Director, USCIS. “Through our partnership with both
law enforcement and service providers, and through the dedicated work
of our staff, we were able to reach – and provide this vital benefit to
– thousands of deserving individuals.”
USCIS will again issue U Visas on October 1, 2010, the first day of the
next fiscal year. Until that time, USCIS will accept petitions for the
U visa; conditionally approved petitioners will be placed on a waiting
list.
