Crime victims may be eligible for certain immigration options, such as U visas and relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These options aim to protect victims of crimes and domestic violence, offering them a pathway to legal status, work authorization, and in some cases, eventual permanent residency. Eligibility for immigration protection is always highly case-specific.

U visas are notoriously complex. In order to qualify for a U visa, an applicant must meet a number of different statutory requirements. Here are the main eligibility standards for a U visa:

1. Be a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that occurred in the United States;
2. Have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the crime;
3. Possess credible and reliable information about the crime;
4. Assist cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of the crime; and
5. Be admissible to the U.S. or obtain a waiver of inadmissibility.

Are you considering applying for immigration relief through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). You meet the following eligibility standards:

1. Be a spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
2. Be a victim of battery, abuse, or extreme cruelty by the citizen/permanent resident;
3. Have resided with the abusive family member within the United States; and
4. Be a person of good moral character yourself.