May 2021
Training Materials for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
The U Visa: A Tool to Support Victims, Communities, and Increase Participation in the Criminal Justice System
Webinar Description
Immigrant victims of crime are often reluctant to call the police for help. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are further challenged to participate in investigations and prosecutions where they experience immigration-related abuse and threats of deportation. This webinar will explain the intention behind the creation of the U Visa and detail the requirements of any application for immigration relief through the U Visa program. Presenters will provide strategies to improving victim participation by enhancing safety and security while minimizing barriers, fears, and misconceptions. The webinar will provide participants with access to toolkits, tools, and resources on the U Visa as well as other forms of immigration relief available to crime victims, as well as to the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project web library, online webinars, and technical assistance.
Call or Email NIWAP for Technical Assistance
If you are a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, or a system-based victim advocate or other staff working for a law enforcement or prosecution agency wanting to improve your response to immigrant victims and you would like to receive case specific technical assistance on language access requirements and immigration protections for crime victims/survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking and their children, please call NIWAP for technical assistance (202) 274-4457 or email us at info@niwap.org.
Join us for NIWAP’s Virtual Roundtables
NIWAP offers Virtual Roundtables exclusively for law enforcement and prosecution agencies and system-based advocates.
NIWAP’s roundtables are led by law enforcement and prosecutor faculty, offer an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, can be joined online or by conference call, and provide ongoing training and technical assistance to officers and staff at law enforcement and prosecution agencies. When you sign up you choose the list exclusively open to staff working at law enforcement and prosecution agencies.
More tools for law enforcement and prosecution agencies are available in NIWAP’s web library https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/topic/law-enforcement/
Training Materials
Materials, Tools and Resources
Overview of Immigration Relief for Immigrant Crime Victims
- Blue Card: Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (Squad Car Screening Tools)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/screening-tool-victims-qualify - Bench Card: Overview of Types of Immigration Status
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/bchcrd-immstatustypes - Family Court Bench Card on Immigration Rights of Battered Spouses, Children, and Immigrant Crime Victims
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/judg-tkit-bchcrdvictimsimmrights10-11-13
Resources on U and T Visas Certification and Policy
- DHS: U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-updated-u-certification-resource-guide-2015 - U-Visa Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisatoolkit-police-prosecutors - USCIS U Visa Certification Factsheet Q&A
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-relief-victims-trafficking-and-other - International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2018 Resolution on Education and Awareness of U and T Visa Certifications
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/iacp-support-for-education-and-awareness-on-u-visa-certifications-and-t-visa-declarations/ - Model Policy for Interactions with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/proposed-model-u-visa-policy/ - Discussion Paper for Model Policy for Working with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/discussion-paper-model-policy-u-visa-certification-may-2016/ - U Visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisa-collaboration-policy-brief - Blue Campaign: What You Can Do- Recognizing and Supporting Trafficking Victims in the Courtroom
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/bc-pamphlet-judicial-english - DHS Policy Answers to Law Enforcement Reasons for Not Certifying
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-answers-to-reasons-for-not-certifying - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Memorandum on “Prosecutorial Discretion: Certain Victim, Witnesses and Plaintiffs”
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/discretion-victims-witnesses-plaintiffs/ - U Visa News Articles
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisa-news-articles/ - U-Visa Checklist: “Helpfulness”
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-helpfulness-checklist - Glossary of Terms
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/glossary-of-terms - U Visa Certifications: Range of Potential Certifiers
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-range-of-potential-fcertifiers - U-Visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisa-collaboration-policy-brief/ - Press Release on the U Visa – Template
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-qref-policedeptstraining - U-Visa Resource List
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/resource-list-with-logo - U Visa Certification Tool Kit for Federal, State, and Local Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates, and Other Judicial Officers (2020)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/judges-u-t-certification-toolkit - U-Visa Timeline with Background Checks
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-timeline/ - Tip Sheet for Courts Developing U Visa Certification Protocols
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/wp-content/uploads/Tips-for-Courts-U-Visa-Cert-Protocols-Policies.pdf - U-Visa Flow Chart
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisaflowchart/ - U- Visa Protections for Family Members
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-family-member - T-Visa Timeline with Background Checks
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/t-visa-timeline/ - T-Visa Family Member Sponsors
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/t-visa-family-member - T-Visa Flow Chart
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/t-visa-application-flowchart-judges
DHS Roll-Call Training Videos
- DHS U and T Visa Training Videos
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/dhs-roll-call-videos/
Screening Tools and Brochures for Immigrant Crime Victims
- DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims (English, Chinese, and Portuguese)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-interactive-infographic-on-protections-for-immigrant-victims-8-29-17 - DHS Brochure: Immigration Options for Victims of Crime Link
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-options-victims-of-crimes - Pathways to Immigration Relief for Students
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/screening-students-for-immigraiton-protections/ - Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/marriage-based-legal-rights - Immigration Relief for Abused Children
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uscis_sijs_brochure - Blue Card: Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (Squad Car Screening Tools)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/screening-tool-victims-qualify - Brochure: Continued Presence & Temporary Immigration Status for Victims of Human Trafficking
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-continued-presence-brochure - Comparison Chart of U-Visa, T-Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/chart-vawa-t-u-sijs-daca/ - Sample Questions for Identifying a Trafficked/Enslaved Person
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/questions-for-identifying-trafficked-or-enslaved-persons/ - USCIS 2010 Fact Sheet “Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the US and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa”
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/marriage-based-legal-rights
Prosecutor’s Tools Enhancing Work with Immigrant Crime Victims
- Quick Reference Guide for Prosecutors: U Visa and VAWA Confidentiality Related Case Law
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/quick-reference-guide-for-prosecutors-u-visa-and-vawa-confidentiality/ - Certifying Early: When Should You Sign a U or T Visa Certification for a Victim?
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/certifying-early-7-24-17-final-w-logo/ - VAWA Confidentiality and Criminal Cases: How Prosecutors Should Respond to Discovery Attempts for Protected Information
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/discovery-and-vawa-confidentiality-tool-final-7-24-17/ - What’s Immigration Status Got to Do with It? Prosecution Strategies for Cases Involving Undocumented Victims
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pretrial-strategies-7-24-17-final-with-logos/
Publications Featuring U-Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool
- Stories From the Field: The Crime Fighting Effectiveness of the U-Visa (August 27, 2020)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-crime-fighting-stories - The Importance of the U-Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool for Law Enforcement Officials – Views from Around the Country
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisa-crime-fighting-tool - Overcoming Fear and Building Trust With Immigrant Communities and Crime Victims (Police Chief Magazine April 2018)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/policechief_april-2018_building-trust-immigrant-victims/ - Protecting Our Communities and Officer Safety
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/may_june_sheriff - COPS Dispatch Article: The U-Visa: An important tool for Community Policing
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/uvisa-community-policing-tool/ - How Law Enforcement Is Using the U-Visa Practice Brief
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-qref-uvisapracticebrief-10-11 - Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant Crime Victims and Children: Findings of a National Judicial Survey and Recommendations
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/trends-in-state-courts-survey-findings/
List of State Specific U and T Visa Certification Laws
- State U and T Visa Certification Laws
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/state-u-visa-certification-laws - U and T Visa Certifications and Certification Reporting Requirements in California
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/wp-content/uploads/CA-U-T-visa-certificaiton-and-certification-reporting-6.25.20-1.pdf - Bench Card: U and T Visa Certification Reporting Requirements in California
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ca-bench-card-u-t-reporting
VAWA Self-Petition: Immigration Relief for Battered Spouses, Children and Parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Flow Chart for Child Applicants
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-flow-chart-child/ - Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Elder Abuse Survivors
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-self-petitioner-elder-abuse-flow-chart-6-17-19-pdf/ - Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Adults
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-self-petitioner-flow-chart-for-adults-6-17-19-pdf/ - Battering or Extreme Cruelty: Drawing Examples from Civil Protection Order and Family Law Cases
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/extreme-cruelty-examples-protection-order-2/ - VAWA Self-Petitioning Introduction and Flow Charts
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-self-petitioning-intro-and-flow-charts-pdf - VAWA Self-Petitioning Timeline with Background Checks
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/3f-vawa-timeline-3-29-19/
Collaborations with Community Partners
- Immigrant and LEP Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/importance-of-collaboration-victims - Building Trusting Relationships: A Guide for Advocates/Attorneys Working with Law Enforcement (LE) on U-Visa Certification Issues (Flow Chart)
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/advocate-law-enforcement-guide - Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/wp-content/uploads/Multilingual-Materials-4.pdf
Resources for Improving Language Access and Compliance with Title VI
- Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency Provision of Language Assistance to LEP Persons
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/laws-governing-langauge-access - U.S. Department of Justice Sample Limited English Proficiency Guidelines from Office of Justice Programs “Center City Police Department”
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/sample-limited-english-proficiency-guidelines-from-the-office-of-justice-programs - Are you Compliant with Title VI Self-Assessment Tool
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/self-assessment-tool-title-vi - Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/law-enforcement-benefits-of-qualified-interpreters - Language Identification Card – DeKalb County Magistrate Court’s Compliance Project, Caminar Latino, Men Stopping Violence, Raksha, Inc, Tapestri, Inc, and Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/language-id-card-raksha - Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/crime-scene-identification-of-lep-persons - Do’s and Don’ts to Help Identify LEP Persons
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dos-and-donts-to-identify-lep-persons - Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/interpretation-tips - NAJIT Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/najitcodeofethicsfinal - Steps for Obtaining Interpreters
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/step-for-obtaining-interpreters - Tips for Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-qref-workingwithtelephoneinterp - DOJ Letter to State Chief Justices and State Court Administrators on Access for Limited English Proficient Persons to State Court Proceedings
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/lang-access-doj-courts-letter - Judicial Bench Card for Court Interpretation
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ncsc-bench-card-language-access - Serving Limited English Proficient Immigrant Victims**
https://www.civicresearchinstitute.com/online/article.php?pid=6&iid=12699 - Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters- Washington State Interpreters Program
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/lang-lawpol-interpconductcode1986/ - State by State Demographics
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/demographics/