In November of 2018 the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) adopted a Resolution supporting increased education, training, communication and increased law enforcement leadership involvement in the provision of U visa certifications and T visa declarations in cases of immigrant crime victims. The Resolution confirms that U visa certification and T visa declaration programs are “effective tools for law enforcement agencies that enhance public safety, officer safety and protection of victims nationwide.” This resolution was sponsored by IACP’s Victim Services Committee and was Co-Sponsored by the Police Investigative Operations Committee and the Forensic Science Committee. The U Visa and T Visa Certification Resolution can be found in the IACP Resolutions published November of 2018 as Resolution number VSC.18.t2018.
Full document of all of the resolutions adopted by the IACP in November 2018 with the (Updated Nov. 2018) International Association of Chiefs of Police 2018 Resolutions (Nov 2018)
- Resolution VSC.18.t2018 can be found on pages 30-31.
A model law enforcement agency policy on U visa and T visa certification was developed by 9 law enforcement agencies in collaboration with NIWAP and with expert input from U.S. Department of Homeland Security staff. The following model policy and discussion paper in support of the model policy were developed with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office on Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Model Policy for Interactions with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking and Signing U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- Discussion Paper for Model Policy for Interactions with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- U and T Visa Model Policies and Toolkit
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides expert advice and with excellent questions and answers regarding U and T visa certification statutes, regulations, policies, procedures and best practices in this 2015 guide.
Important Training and Educational Resources for Law Enforcement Agencies on the U and T Visa Certification Programs
- Overcoming Fear and Building Trust with Immigrant communities and Crime Victims (Police Chief Magazine, April 2018)
- Training Materials: Law Enforcement (December 2018)
- U Visa Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors (October 2018)
- Training Materials and Webinars on U Visa Certification (2018)
Publications by the Police Executive Research Forum
- U Visas and the Role of Local Police In Preventing and Investigating Crimes Against Immigrant (Jun-Aug 2017)
- T Visas Protect Victims of Human Trafficking And Strengthen Community Relationships (2018)