Many practitioners report uncertainty about the date their client’s U status expires because the client has multiple documents defining the validity of their status. For instance, a U derivative may have: (1) the I-797 approval notice for the principal’s I-918, (2) the I-797 approval notice for their own I-918A, (3) a U-3 (or other derivative U category) visa in their passport, (4) an I-94 from CBP, and (5) a passport entry stamp. Sometimes the expiration date on one of these documents is different from others. This resource provides strategies to address expiration date discrepancies, obtain a copy of the I-94, which is generally controlling, and develop an appropriate plan for filing that preserves your client’s rights.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2024
This Practice Alert summarizes USCIS’s new extreme vetting policies, including broad adjudication holds, re-review of previously approved cases, and heightened discretionary scrutiny, and explains their serious implications for immigrant survivors seeking safety and stability. It also provides practical guidance for practitioners on preparing clients for the impact of these measures and on developing case strategies and potential legal challenges.
On January 23, 2026, the federal Trafficking Survivors’ Relief Act of 2026 (TSRA) became law. The TSRA provides a remedy for trafficking survivors to obtain relief from federal criminal records stemming directly from their exploitation. In enacting the TSRA, Congress acknowledged that trafficking survivors frequently acquire a criminal history as a result of their exploitation, which can be a barrier to employment, housing, education, and essential support services and make them more vulnerable to re-exploitation. This 2-pager describes the TSRA and its potential use by immigrant survivors of trafficking charged with or convicted of federal crimes.
Trying to help a trafficking survivor decide whether to file a T visa application? This practice advisory includes factors to consider and discuss with the client.
The age-in rule is a statutory provision designed to protect VAWA derivatives from losing eligibility when they turn 21. This written resource describes the age-in rule and provides practical tips for practitioners to harness its potential.