Federal immigration department may make work permits and deportation relief available to some.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Monday announced they will expand access to work permits and relief from deportation for some migrants who are crime victims while their visa cases are pending. The agency is creating a process that could allow tens of thousands of applications for U visas to receive work permits if their claims are deemed to be made in good faith and without the intention of defrauding the immigration system.
A statement on the Department of Homeland Security website in a message for law enforcement says “The U visa can be a key tool to support your case. The U visa can help certain crime victims feel safer reporting crimes, also that they may be more willing to work with you, even if they do not have lawful immigration status.”
If approved, the U visa provides the victim with temporary immigration status including work authorization, temporary immigration status for qualifying family members of the victim; and the possibility of lawful permanent resident status.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of Congress as they evaluate comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
- For U.S. officials seeking to streamline processes at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- For DHS and CIS as they begin granting U visas to migrants who have been victims of crimes.
- For Customs and Border Patrol, ICE agents, and others who work with the influx of illegal migrants.
Sources: Reuters, Department of Homeland Security
