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What Crimes in New Jersey Qualify for the U Visa?

On Behalf of | Aug 11, 2014 | Deferred Action |

On July 15, 2014, USCIS recently released a Policy Memorandum pertaining to U visas. The Memo is entitled “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013: Changes to U Nonimmigrant Status and Adjustment of Status Provisions.” Among some of the important changes added by VAWA 2013 that the policy memorandum implements, officers are directed to take note of two new crimes that qualify as qualifying criminal activity for U nonimmigrant status. (U status is available to any alien who has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of certain qualifying criminal activity.) The two new crimes are Stalking and Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting (as defined in section 1351 of title 18, United States Code). The statutory list of qualifying crimes is therefore now comprised of the following:

Abduction

Abusive Sexual Contact

Blackmail

Domestic Violence

Extortion

Obstruction of Justice

Peonage

Perjury

Prostitution

False Imprisonment

Felonious Assault

Female Genital Mutilation

Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

Being Held Hostage

Sexual Assault

Sexual Exploitation

Slave Trade

Stalking

Incest

Involuntary Servitude

Kidnapping

Manslaughter

Murder

Trafficking

Witness Tampering

Unlawful Criminal Restraint

Other Related Crimes

It is important to note that the above comprise general crime categories. Any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the statutorily listed crimes above, including any offense that is substantially similar, may also be considered.

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