Training Materials and Tools
- U Visa Certification Tool Kit for Federal, State, and Local Judges, Commissioners, and Magistrates
- U Visa Quick Reference for Judges (October 14, 2020)
- U visa Certification and T visa Declaration Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors
- U Visa: “Helpfulness” Checklist
- State Laws
- U Visa Flow Chart
- DHS Policy Answers to Law Enforcement Reasons for Not Clarifying
- Collection of U Visa News Articles
- 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)
- Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors
- The Importance of the U Visa as a Crime Fighting Tool for Law Enforcement Officials-Views from Around the Country
- Overcoming Fear and Building Trust with Immigrant Communities and Crime Victims (Police Chief Magazine April 2018)
- Understanding the Judicial Role in U Visa Certification (American Journal of Family Law)
- Protecting our Communities and Officer Safety
- Sample Questions for Identifying a Trafficked/Enslaved Person
- Promoting Access to Justice for Immigrant Crime Victims and Children: Findings of a National Judicial Survey and Recommendations
- Guide to Obtaining U visa Certifications Practice Advisory (July 2017)
- State U and T visa Certification Laws
- U visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
- Building Trusting Relationships: A Guide for Advocates/Attorneys Working with Law Enforcement on U visa Certification Issues
- U visa Certifications, T visa Declarations, and Continued Presence: Range of Potential Certifiers at the Local, State, and Federal Government Levels
- Tip Sheet for Courts Developing U visa Certification Protocols
- The U visa: An Important Tool for Community Policing
- Comparing Inadmissibility Waivers Available to Immigrant Victims in VAWA Self-Petitioning, U visa, T visa, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Cases
- How Law Enforcement is Using the U visa: Practice Brief
- Legislative History of VAWA (94,00,05) T and U visas, Battered Spouse Waivers, and VAWA Confidentiality
- Flow Chart Public Charge Test and Housing Benefits
- Battering or Extreme Cruelty in the Context of Elder Abuse from APS Tool Kit
- ASISTA Policy Alert: Bona Fide Employment Authorization for U Visa Petitions
U and T Visa Certification: Government Materials
- U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide: DHS published a resource guide for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other certifying officials.
- USCIS U Visa Certification Factsheet Q&A
- DHS: Instructions for Form I-914, Supplement B
- DHS: Form I-914, Supplement B for T Visa Endorsement
- DHS: Form I-918, Supplement B for U Visa Certification
- DHS: Instructions for Form I-918, Supplement B for U Visa Certification
- Blue Campaign: What You Can Do-Recognizing and Supporting Trafficking Victims in the Courtroom
- Brochure: Continued Presence & Temporary Immigration Status for Victims of Human Trafficking
- U visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
- DHS ICE Directive: Using a Victim-Centered Approach with Noncitizen Crime Victims (August 10, 2021)
Immigration Relief for Crime Victims and Children – Know Your Rights Information:
- DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims
- Immigration Options for Victims of Crime – DHS Brochure
- Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates
- Pathways to Immigration Relief for Students
- 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
- Immigrant and LEP Victim’s Access to the Criminal Justice System
- Anti-Discrimination Provisions that Apply to Programs Receiving Federal Funding Serving Victims of Violence Against Women Crimes
- Privacy Protections for Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits
- Public Benefits Flow Charts: VAWA Self-Petition and Cancellation, U visas, T visas, and SIJS
- Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status
- Family Court Bench card on Immigrant Crime Victim Access to Public Benefits and Services
- Bench Card on Trafficking Victim Benefits Eligibility Process
- Bench Card on U visa Victim Eligibility Process
- T visa Process Timeline with Background Checks
- U visa Timeline with Background Checks
- T visa Quick Reference for Law Enforcement & Prosecutors
- All State Public Benefits Charts and Interactive Public Benefits Map (2022)
Forms of Immigration Relief:
- Bench Card: Overview of Types of Immigration Status
- Family Court Bench Card on Immigration Rights of Battered Spouses, Children, and Immigrant Crime Victims
- Immigration Relief for Abused Children
- Blue Card: Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (Squad Car Screening Tool)
- Bench Card: DHS Enforcement Priorities Information for State Court Judges
- Courthouse Immigration Enforcement: Steps State Courts are Taking (2018)
- Prosecutorial Discretion: Certain Victims, Witnesses, and Plaintiffs
- 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)
- USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 5 – Bona Fide Determination Process USCIS (June 14, 2021)
- Policy Alert June 14, 2021: Bona Fide Determination Process for Victims of Qualifying Crimes, and Employment Authorization and Deferred Action for Certain Petitioners
- Appendix-USCIS Bona Fide Determination Process Flowchart (June 14, 2021)
- USCIS Policy Manual Updates: T visa Status for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons (October 20, 2022)
- Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors
E-Learning Resources:
- Pro Bono Institute “U Visa” Online Training Module (Online Course)
- October 14, 2022: “What Judges, Attorneys, and Prosecutors Need to Know About How VAWA Confidentiality Impacts Discovery in Cases Involving Immigrant Survivors (Webinar)
- August 24, 2021: “Legal Rights of Immigrant Survivors: Immigration Relief, Public Benefits, and Protection Orders” (Webinar)
- February 20, 2020: “The U Visa as a Crime Fighting Tool: How Certification Improves Domestic and Sexual Violence Investigations and Prosecutions” (Webinar)
- January 30, 2020: “Best Practices and Tools that Build the Capacity of Adult Protective Services to Serve Immigrant Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims” (Webinar)
- November 19, 2019: In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim Witness Speaks Limited English
- April 18, 2019: Public Benefits and Services Legally Available to Immigrant Children and Victims–What Courts Need to Know (Webinar)
- October 31, 2017: “VAWA Confidentiality and Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence” (Webinar)
- February 18, 2015: “Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) Immigrant Crime Visas: Law Enforcement’s Tool to Strengthen Community Policing” (Webinar)
- April 10, 2015: “Assessing Helpfulness for Immigrant Crime Victims Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP)” (Webinar)
- December 1, 2014: “Expert Advice for Judges: How to Handle U Visa Certification and T Visa Endorsement Requests” (Webinar)
- March 19, 2014: “Trauma-Informed Care, Part 2: The Nuts and Bolts of Immigration Story Writing Intervention” (Webinar)
- February 24, 2014: “Helping Survivors in Crisis: Hands On Training for Advocates and Attorneys on Trauma-Informed Work with Immigrant Women who are Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” (Video)
- February 20, 2014: “Obtaining U Visa Certification from Judges in Protection Order, Family, Criminal, and Other State Court Proceedings” (Webinar)
- September 26, 2013: “Roll Call Videos for Law Enforcement on U Visa Certification and T Visa Endorsement” (Video)
- February 15, 2013: “Lessons Learned from Law Enforcement: How Collaborations That Result in U visa Certifications Support Safer Communities” (Webinar)
- October 5, 2011: “Law Enforcement and Advocates Partnering to Better Serve Immigrant Crime Victims” (Webinar)
- July 18, 2011: “Law Enforcement Use of the U Visa” (Podcast)
- February 10, 2011: “An Introduction to Law Enforcement Use of the U Visa” (Webinar)
U Visa Certification and State Court Discovery
Criminal
- What’s Immigration Status Got to do with it? Prosecution Strategies for Cases Involving Undocumented Victims
- VAWA Confidentiality and Criminal Cases: How Prosecutors Should Respond to Discovery Attempts for Protected Information
- Certifying Early: When Should You Sign a U or T Visa Certification for a Victim?
- Quick Reference Guide for Prosecutors: U Visa and VAWA Confidentiality Related Case Law
- How VAWA Confidentiality Impacts Discovery in Cases Involving Immigrant Survivors
- How to Argue or Rule on VAWA Confidentiality Protections in Discovery Involving Immigrant Survivors
- Discovery and Use of Immigration Information in Court Checklist
- International Association of Chiefs of Police 2018 Resolution on Education and Awareness of U and T visa Certification
- T-Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
Family and Civil Court Discovery
- Family Court Bench Card on VAWA Confidentiality
- VAWA Confidentiality Statutes, Legislative History, and Implementing Policy (February 23, 2017)
- Three Prongs of VAWA Confidentiality
- Chapter 3 of Empowering Survivors: VAWA Confidentiality, History, Purpose, DHS Implementation, and Violations of VAWA Confidentiality Protections
- Utilizing VAWA Confidentiality Protections in Family Court Proceedings**
- Court Rulings Confirm Federal VAWA Confidentiality Protections Bar Discovery of VAWA Confidentiality Protected Information in State Family Court Proceedings
VAWA Self-Petition
Government
Training Materials and Tools
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Introduction and Flow Charts
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Flow Chart for Child Applicants
- Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Elder Abuse Survivors
- Flowchart: VAWA Self-Petitioning Eligibility for Adults
- Battering or Extreme Cruelty: Drawing Examples from Civil Protection Order and Family Law Cases
Language Access
- DOJ Letter to State Chief Justices and State Court Administrators on Access for Limited English Proficient Persons to State Court Proceedings
- Judicial Bench Card for Court Interpretation
- Serving Limited English Proficient Immigrant Victims**
- Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement
- Dos and Don’ts to Help Law Enforcement Identify Victims, Witnesses, and Other Persons Who Are Limited English Proficient and Need an Interpreter
- Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter
- Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters
**If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org