U-Visa
Administered by the Department of Homeland Security, the U-Visa allows immigration protection for victims of qualifying crimes and their family members (as appropriate) who are helpful to law enforcement in the detention, investigation, or prosecution of criminal activity. This is a temporary visa that can be valid up to four years and in some cases may be extended.
U-Visas are not automatic and can only be granted if the appropriate paperwork is sent to the Department of Homeland Security via the law enforcement agency where the criminal activity occurred.
If the incident(s) occurred within the jurisdiction of the City of Marysville, applicants must submit a completed I-918 document for certification. The certifying official is the City Attorney.
In order to certify a petition, the petitioner should submit evidence, attached to the petition, of their cooperation with law enforcement. The officers or detectives involved must concur that a U-Visa applicant has both cooperated with law enforcement and will cooperate in any subsequent prosecution before the City Attorney certifies the application.
Requests should be forwarded to the office of the City Attorney for research and processing. Approved files will then be forwarded to the City Attorney, or the City Attorney's designee, for final authorization and signature of certification.
The City of Marysville is under no obligation to sign off on a declaration and may do so at its discretion. Certification does not automatically grant an immigration benefit. Without law enforcement certification, the U-Visa will be denied.
For more information on the process and forms required, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Forward requests to the following address:
City of Marysville
Attn: City Attorney's Office
501 Delta Avenue
Marysville, WA 98270
Additional Resources:
To find out if someone is in immigration custody, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Know Your Rights
View a comparison chart of the different VISAs available to victims of crime.
View an interactive graphic describing the different VISAs available.