USCIS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials have approved the cap for statutory maximum numbers of 10,000 petitions for U-1 nonimmigrant status (U visas) for the current fiscal year 2015. This is the 6th straight year that USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began issuing U-1 or U visas as they are called, in 2008.
U visas are issued to victims of certain crimes – those who have suffered certain crimes, going through substantial mental or physical abuse. These victims should also be willing to help law enforcement authorities investigate or prosecute the criminals perpetrating the crimes. A U- visa petition requires certification that the victim has been helpful to law enforcement authorities.
Although the statutory cap of 10,000 U visas has already been reached by USCIS, it will continue to review pending petitions for eligibility. For petitioners who are eligible but who cannot be granted a U-1 visas solely because of the cap will be sent a letter by USCIS that will notify them that they are on a waiting list to receive a U visa when visas become available again. The letter will also inform the petitioners of options available to them while they are on the waiting list. All petitioners and family members who qualify should be able to meet eligibility requirements on the occasion of USCIS issuing the U visa.
USCIS will resume issuing U visas on Oct. 1, 2015, the first day of fiscal year 2016.
The U visa program was created by Congress in order to strengthen the law enforcement community’s ability to investigate and deal with cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes, while offering certain levels of protection to victims. Since the program began in the year 2008, more than 116,471 victims and their family members have already received U visas.
