U Visa Lawyer

The U visa attorneys at Kats Immigration Law help victims of crime obtain U visas and legal status, paving the way to lawful permanent residency in the United States. Our attorneys provide legal consultations both online and in person, offering compassionate service to ensure the best possible outcome for your situation.

What Is a U Visa and How Does It Work?

If you’re a victim of any qualifying criminal activity, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or other offenses, a U visa protects you by granting temporary legal status in the United States. You can legally live in the country without fear of deportation or removal. You must cooperate with law enforcement and government officials in the investigation, however, to take advantage of the benefits.

As top-rated NYC immigration attorneys, the team at Kats Immigration Law understands the seriousness of your situation. Alina Kats, a leading U visa attorney in NYC, guides you through every step to ensure you’re well-prepared and understand your options.

How Can a U Visa Lawyer Help Me?

U visa lawyers review your case details to assess your eligibility for asylum. They assist with compiling and organizing evidence, like your police reports, medical records and personal statements, to build a strong case. They help you understand your rights and the legal protections available to you.

Our U visa legal services include:

• Preparing and filing petitions, such as filling out Form I-918, ensuring all sections are completed accurately
• Gathering evidence and collecting relevant documentation like affidavits from your witnesses and community
• Providing legal representation and preparing you for interviews with immigration officials
• Filing appeals when necessary or filing a motion to reopen or reconsider your case
• Giving you peace of mind, knowing a professional is handling your case so you can focus on your recovery

U visa attorneys represent you in communications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in case they require any additional information or evidence. U visa lawyers have a deep understanding of immigration law and the specific requirements that increase your chances of a successful petition.

Clients Experience

What Types of Criminal Activity Qualify for a U Visa?

You may qualify for a U visa whether you experienced physical injury, psychological trauma or domestic violence by a spouse, partner or family member. If you’re a victim of abduction, you can also qualify for a U visa if you suffered substantial abuse and are willing to cooperate with law enforcement.

Qualifying criminal activities include:

• Abusive sexual contact
• Blackmail
• Extortion
• False imprisonment
• Felonious assault
• Female genital mutilation
• Fraud in foreign labor contracting
• Hostage-taking
• Incest
• Involuntary servitude
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• Obstruction of justice
• Peonage
• Perjury
• Prostitution
• Rape
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation
• Slave trade
• Stalking
• Torture
• Trafficking
• Witness tampering
• Unlawful criminal restraint

Evidence of abuse from your medical records, psychological evaluations, police reports, affidavits from professionals and personal statements detailing the impact of the crime on your life are used to prove your victim status. You must possess information about the criminal activity you were a victim of. This means you have knowledge about the crime and can provide details that may assist law enforcement.

What Challenges Can I Face if I File a U Visa Application without a Lawyer?

If you proceed to file a U visa application without a lawyer, it increases the chance of making errors in the application. The immigration process includes many forms and steps that you must complete in a particular order. If you provide any inaccurate information, even unintentionally, it can harm your credibility and cause your application to be rejected.

Our experienced U Visa attorneys guide you to:

• Understand the legal terminology
• Meet deadlines
• Prove victimization
• Cooperate with law enforcement
• Submit all the documentation
• Deal with additional requests for evidence

If your U visa application is denied, you may need to file an appeal to reconsider the decision. Dealing with appeals without professional legal counsel can be incredibly difficult. Choosing an experienced U visa attorney near you in Brooklyn & Manhattan, at Kats Immigration Law reduces the risk of mistakes and increases your chances of obtaining the protection and legal status you need.

What Benefits Can I Get from a U Visa?

The U visa can get you temporary legal status in the United States for up to four years. You may be able to get work authorization, which can provide you with the opportunity to support yourself and your family financially. After three years of continuous physical presence in the United States with U visa status, you can be eligible to apply for a green card.

Benefits of a U visa also include:

• Protection for family members. If you’re the primary U visa applicant, you can include your family members in your application like your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.
• Access to public benefits.You may be eligible for certain public benefits like health care, housing assistance and other social services.
• Educational opportunities. You can pursue educational opportunities, enroll in higher education institutions, apply for scholarships and access many educational resources.
• Legal protections and rights. You can get the same legal protections and rights as other immigrants with legal status in the United States.

After getting a green card and holding it for a certain period, having a U visa can help you become a naturalized citizen.

If you need assistance obtaining a U visa in New York, the experienced attorneys at Kats Immigration Law are here to help. Our offices are conveniently located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and our specialists speak Spanish, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Russian, Georgian, and more. We also offer virtual consultation if you are unable to visit one of our offices.