U Visas Faltering

In 2000, Congress created the U-visa to help law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute certain crimes in return offering protection to the victims. After an eight-year delay, the government issued its first U-visa last summer. Through the end of 2008, 65 such visas had been issued, although about 13,300 people have filed applications. Twenty have been denied. After a preliminary review, the government also has given temporary benefits to 10,800 applicants while they wait for a final decision, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration. The LA Times reports:

To be eligible for a visa, the victim must have information concerning the crime, be helpful in the investigation or prosecution and have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the crime. After three years, visa holders can apply to become legal permanent residents and can eventually become U.S. citizens. The law allows 10,000 applicants to receive visas each year. They can petition for certain family members to also receive visas.

Because it took so long to create the regulations for the visas, the government created an interim relief for qualified applicants. Until a decision is made on the visa, those applicants are protected from deportation and can receive work permits and access to public services while they are waiting, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.