This judicial training update published by Judge Alan F. Pendleton, Anoka County District Court, provides guidance on U visa certification by state court judges based on the ABA rules of judicial ethics and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies, regulations, training materials and statutes and consultation with DHS U visa experts. This training update for judges discusses the U visa program, dispels common myths about U visa certification by judges, answers questions judges and court staff have about U visa certification, and discusses judicial ethics ABA rules and a 2015 Minnesota Advisory Opinion discussing how, when and why judges can sign U visa certifications consistent with judicial ethics rules and canons.

This judicial training update published by Judge Alan F. Pendleton, Anoka County District Court, provides guidance on U visa certification by state court judges based on the ABA rules of judicial ethics and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies, regulations, training materials and statutes and consultation with DHS U visa experts. This training update for judges discusses the U visa program, dispels common myths about U visa certification by judges, answers questions judges and court staff have about U visa certification, and discusses how, when and why the Minnesota Code of Judicial Conduct permits signing of U visa certifications and the June 26, 2015 Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards Advisory Opinion 2015-2 on this issue.