New US Visas Offered to Crime Victims

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

New US Visas Offered to Crime Victims

By ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press Writer
WICHITA, Kan. Oct 19, 2007 (AP)

Illegal immigrants who are victims of violent crimes in
the U.S. can now apply for special visas, seven years
after Congress offered protection against deportation to
those who cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services is finally
starting to process the visas this week, agency
spokeswoman Marilu Cabrera said.

The long delay occurred largely because the agency
drafted rules for issuing the so-called "U" visas before
it became a division of the then-new Department of
Homeland Security, she said. Consequently, the rules
had to be reviewed again. Then the Department of
Justice had concerns, she said.

-snip-

The 2000 Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection
Act established the visa to encourage illegal immigrants
to report crimes against them in return for the right to
remain in the United States and eventually apply for
permanent residency.

-snip-

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3749963