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For victims of severe crimes in the US who are cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation of the crimes committed against them, a U visa can provide a path to legal immigration status. A Minneapolis U visa immigration lawyer is a crucial component of obtaining this type of citizenship. An experienced attorney can make sure you properly submit your application materials, required documentation, and evidence.
The Minneapolis U visa immigration attorney you hire can positively impact the outcome of your case. At Santana Dhawan PLLC, our founding attorney, Ronnie Santana, is a former criminal prosecutor who has seen the courtroom from both sides.
This dual-angled outlook allows us to strategize with the other side’s next move in mind. We are bilingual and bicultural, which allows us to connect deeper with our clients and better serve their legal needs.
U visa immigration laws were established to encourage crime victims to feel safe in reporting crimes committed against them. Many victims remain silent when they are victimized for fear of being deported. The U visa allows them to report crimes to authorities without fear of deportation and with the hope of obtaining permanent legal status in the future.
To qualify for a U visa, individuals must have been the actual victim of a qualifying violent crime. Qualifying crimes include such acts as human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual assault, or domestic violence. Second, the victim must have been substantially physically or mentally abused by their perpetrator. Third, they must have some valid intel to provide investigators regarding their investigation of the crime committed against them.
To be eligible for a U visa, an individual must cooperate with law enforcement officers and/or prosecutors in their efforts to investigate or prosecute the defendant. Once they meet these criteria, they can receive certification for their cooperation in the case to verify compliance with U visa requirements. Once certification is received, Form 1-918B must be filled out accurately and filed with the cooperation certificate.
The process is more complicated than it sounds, though. When you hire a U Visa immigration lawyer to help you demonstrate compliance and submit your application, you increase your chances of approval. This is because an attorney is more likely to submit an error-free, complete application that is less likely to be sent back for insufficiency.
When a noncitizen victim of a crime receives approval for a U visa from the US government, the visa affords certain protections to that person. The privileges obtained with a U visa are listed below:
A U visa immigration case often involves a variety of sensitive issues. It begins with the trauma the victim incurs at the time of the initial crime. Then, it endures as the victim must provide information that advances the investigation and progresses to an arrest and prosecution. It is vital that these victims have the legal support of a Minneapolis U visa immigration attorney to protect their interests and see that they don’t make any errors in their applications.
No, you don’t need a lawyer to apply for a U visa. However, the U visa immigration laws governing the application process are extremely complex. When you enlist the services of a Minneapolis U visa immigration lawyer who has assisted clients in successfully submitting U visa applications before, you are much more likely to be successful in your efforts.
Currently, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services does not charge a fee for filing for a U visa. You may encounter fees at some point in the process, though, as you may be required to obtain other documents that may have a fee attached. For instance, documents such as an employment authorization request may incur external fees that you must pay. You may also incur legal fees if you hire a U visa immigration attorney.
For many individuals who apply for a U visa, the process can be difficult to complete. There are several documents that must be submitted with your form, and some can be hard to obtain. A U visa immigration lawyer can help if you’re having trouble. Also, there is a cap of 10,000 U visas distributed annually. In 2025, this number was achieved in September.
It is difficult to estimate the time it takes to get a U visa approved. The immigration system is heavily backlogged and has been for a few years. The process typically takes several years. Applicants can be placed on a waitlist for several years, even before their applications are reviewed. Thereafter, it can take even longer.
Pending applicants are granted work privileges and deportation deference under the bona fide determination process until their application can be processed.
Santana Dhawan PLLC strives to provide all of its clients with top customer service. We always treat our clients with respect. Our Latino roots give us the cultural experience to relate to our clients on a personal level. We have clients from Phillips, South Minneapolis, Chimborazo, East Lake Street, and many other Latino areas of the Twin Cities.
Contact our office to schedule a meeting with an experienced member of our legal team. As the sole attorney at the practice, Attorney Ronnie Santana will personally see that you get the legal representation you deserve. With our legal team on your side, you are sure to get the quality legal support you deserve for your case.
At Santana Dhawan, our attorneys understand the weight of your situation and are committed to finding solutions.
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