Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2024

HR 10501, the Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2024, removes barriers for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other qualifying crimes who seek protections under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) or Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The bill eliminates annual limits on U-visas (for crime victims) and special immigrant juvenile visas (for abused minors), and requires the Department of Homeland Security to grant work permits within 180 days of application filing for these cases. It also prohibits deportation or detention while applications for relief are pending, establishing a presumption for release from detention unless officials provide clear evidence of flight risk or danger. These changes directly affect immigrant victims seeking safety and stability through VAWA, TVPA, or related immigration pathways.