ASISTA is aware that the USCIS “Contact Us” page does not include information about which hotline address should be contacted for U cases with receipt numbers that start with IOE. After reaching out to USCIS, until the Contact Us page is updated to reflect their “final determination,” practitioners inquiring about U cases with receipt numbers starting with IOE should reach out to the VSC 918/914 hotline. See this Practice Alert for more information.
Have you received a notice from USCIS stating that your U visa case has been transferred to a CBP office or local field office? This Practice Pointer explains that these notices were issued in error and how you can determine where your case is located. Click here to download this document in Word version.
On May 29, 2019, ASISTA and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) sent a letter to USCIS leadership expressing concern that the two-month grace period to transition to the new Form I-918 would cause hardship to survivors, advocates, and law enforcement agencies. On Friday, June 21, 2019, USCIS updated the I-918 Form website , so that information regarding the edition date now reads: Edition Date: 04/24/19. Starting Jan. 1, 2020 , we will only accept the 04/24/19 edition. Until then, you can use the 02/07/17 edition. Read USCIS’ news alert here. Thank you to all the attorneys and advocates who shared how the short grace period would impact their agency and their work on behalf of survivors. We will provide any update if additional information becomes available.
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.