U Visa Certification Requirements

To be eligible for U nonimmigrant status (U visa) from the federal government, a requestor must receive a certification form from a certifying official attesting that the person has been the victim of certain criminal activity and has been, is being, or is likely to be helpful to the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the criminal activity. The act sets a required time frame for completion or denial of the certification request and sets forth the factors that may and may not be considered in the certification process. The act also prohibits certain disclosures to immigration authorities and requires law enforcement to provide crime victims with information about the U visa.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)