New program helps immigrants who become victims of crime obtain visas

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced
a new program that will help immigrants who are waiting to obtain a U Visa.

This new program will provide work permits to immigrants who become victims of certain crimes in the U.S.

"I was working in the kitchen, I'm a cook. A person came into rob, and began to threaten us, pointing the gun at us," said Amanda. "It was a very traumatic event even up till this day."

A Salinas resident who we are identifying as Amanda is one of the thousands of immigrants who would benefit from this new program. Amanda applied for a U Visa in 2018, after the incident she witnessed in 2013, and has been waiting ever since.

Immigration Attorney and Executive Director of Immigration Legal Services of The Central Coast, Ariadna Torres said "applications for Uvisa status exceed the number of available visas right now, there are approximately 250,000 visa applications pending. So the backlog is long, it is severe."

A U visa is only temporary and lasts four years. But after three years they can apply for residency status. But only 10,000 of these visas are granted every year. To obtain a US Visa, you need to prove you are a victim of a crime such as domestic violence. With this change made by the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Amanda, and other immigrants will be able to work legally while their case is resolved.

"The wait time is very long," said Amanda. "This new change will open more doors, it allows me to get a good job and earn a better wage for my family. It would provide some relief."

But each case will be reviewed independently to determine their eligibility for a work permit, said Torres.

"This temporary employment authorization does not mean and does not give them any guarantee that the final decision on their case is going to be favorable," said Torres. "It's just the ability for them to work. But the final outcome of the case is still unknown. And they will have to wait for an officer to get to review the merits of the application.

The timeline of identification and review for eligibility has not been set. Applicants are encouraged to
contact their legal representatives for additional information.