This training was carried out in partnership with the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council of Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking.
Training Materials for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors[1]
If you are a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, or a victim advocate or other staff working for a law enforcement or prosecution agency and are working with immigrant victims and you would like to receive case specific technical assistance on immigration protections for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence victims and their children, please call NIWAP for technical assistance. (202) 274-4457 or email us at info@niwap.org.
More tools for law enforcement and prosecution agencies are available in NIWAP’s web library.
Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Round Tables:
NIWAP offers Virtual Roundtables or peer-to-peer learning opportunities exclusively for officials and staff working for law enforcement and prosecution agencies. Click here to sign up.
NIWAP’s roundtables are led by law enforcement and prosecutor faculty, offer an opportunity for peer to peer learning, can be joined on-line of 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. You can also elect to sign up for NIWAP’s general outreach list to receive notices of trainings, webinars, new materials, resources and policies.
Community of Practice for Victim Advocates: Systems based victim advocates and other victim advocates working for law enforcement and prosecution agencies are encouraged to join NIWAP’s Victim Advocate Community of Practice which provides ongoing peer-to-peer learning opportunities to support victim advocates in their work with immigrant survivors. Sign up here.
Law Enforcement, Prosecutor and Systems-Based Victim Advocate Podcast Series
For law enforcement and prosecutors on best practices and special issues that arise in working with immigrant victims. Includes discussions with law enforcement and prosecutor experts on the U Visa and the T Visa.
NIWAP’s Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Systems-Based Victim Advocates
- Technical Assistance and Training Flyer – Law Enforcement and Prosecutors (September 27, 2021)
- Technical Assistance and Training on Legal Rights of Immigrant Crime Victims (September 27, 2021)
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
- Blue Card: Screening for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (Squad Car Screening Tool)
- Prosecutorial Discretion: Certain Victim, Witnesses and Plaintiffs
Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors
Department of Homeland Security Policies: Important to Work with Immigrant Victims
U and T Visas
- U Visa Certification and T Visa Declaration Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors (August 30, 2021)
- U-Visa Checklist: “Helpfulness”
- USCIS, U Visa Certification Resource Guide (February 28, 2022)
- USCIS, T Visa Certification Resource Guide (October 20, 2021)
- DHS: U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
- U Visa Certification and T Visa Declaration Toolkit for Federal, State and Local Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates and Other Judicial Officers (June 17, 2021)
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2018 Resolution on Education and Awareness of U and T Visa Certifications
- Model Policy for Interactions with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- Discussion Paper for Model Policy for Working with Immigrant Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking & Signing of U Visa Certifications and T Visa Declarations
- USCIS U Visa Certification Fact Sheet Q&A
- Blue Campaign: What You Can Do- Recognizing and Supporting Trafficking Victims in the Courtroom
- U-Visa Flow Chart
- U Visa Certification Process Flowchart (August 30, 2021)
- T-Visa Flow Chart
- T Visa Regulations, Policies, and Government Publications (December 29, 2021)
- U-Visa Family Member Sponsors
- T-Visa Family Member Sponsors
- DHS Policy Answers to Law Enforcement Reasons for Not Certifying
- U Visa News Articles
- Glossary of Terms
- U Visa Certifications: Range of Potential Certifiers
- U-Visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
- Press Release on the U Visa – Template
- U Visa Resource List
- 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
- 2017 New U and T Visa Application and Certification Forms (January and February 2017)
- U Visa Timeline with Background Checks
- Tip Sheet for Courts Developing U Visa Certification Protocols
- T Visa Timeline with Background Checks
- T Visa Application Flowchart (June 12, 2021)
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Continued Presence Resource Guide (July 2021)
- USCIS: U Visa Demographics: U Visa Report (March 2020)
- USCIS U Visa Report: U Visa Filing Trends (April 2020)
- USCIS: Trends in U Visa Law Enforcement Certifications, Qualifying Crimes and Evidence of Helpfulness (July 2020)
- USCIS U Visa Report Technical Appendix (July 2020)
- USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 6 – U Visa Waiting List (June 14, 2021)
- USCIS Bona Fide Determination Process Flowchart (June 14, 2021)
Forms
- 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
Webinars
- In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim Witness Speaks Limited English
- U Visa: Overview of Certification Presented by Investigator Michael LaRiviere, Salem Police Department
- In order to reach this module, you will need to sign-in for free access to course.
- The U Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool: How Certification Improves Domestic and Sexual Violence Investigations and Prosecutions
- Battered Women’s Justice Program (BWJP) Assessing Helpfulness for Immigrant Crime Victims
- DHS U and T Visa Training Videos
- Lessons Learned from Law Enforcement: How Collaborations That Result in U Visa Certifications Support Safer Communities
- Law Enforcement and Advocates Partnering to Better Serve Immigrant Crime Victims
- Law Enforcement Use of the U Visa (Podcast)
- An Introduction to Law Enforcement Use of the U-Visa
- “Understanding Helpfulness: for the U Visa Certification and the Ongoing Assistance Requirement”
Know Your Rights Information
- DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims
- DHS Brochure: Immigration Options for Victims of Crime
- 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
- Immigration Relief for Abused Children
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance (December 27, 2021)
- Office on Trafficking in Persons Child Certification Handout
U Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool
- Stories From the Field: The Crime Fighting Effectiveness of the U Visa (August 23, 2021)
- 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)
- Protecting Our Communities and Officer Safety
- COPS Dispatch Article: The U visa: An Important Tool for Community Policing
- How Law Enforcement Is Using the U-Visa Practice Brief
- State U Visa Certification Laws
- U and T Visa Certifications and Certification Reporting Requirements in California
- Bench Card: U and T Visa Certification Reporting Requirements in California
Screening Tools and Collaboration
- Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the US and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa
- Brochure: Continued Presence & Temporary Immigration Status for Victims of Human Trafficking
- Immigrant and LEP Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System
- U Visa Legal Advocacy: Overview of Effective Policies and Practices
- Building Trusting Relationships: A Guide for Advocates/Attorneys Working with Law Enforcement (LE) on U-Visa Certification Issues (Flow Chart)
- 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)
- Immigration Status: Work Authorization, Public Benefits, and Ability to Sponsor Children (December 30, 2021)
State U and T Visa Certification Laws
VAWA Self-Petition
- 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
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Introduction and Flow Charts
- VAWA Self-Petitioning Webinar Question and Answers
- VAWA Self-Petition Timeline with Background Checks (June 12, 2021)
Language Access
- Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters – Washington State Interpreters Program
- Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of LEP
- Dos and Don’ts to Help Identify LEP Persons
- 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
- Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency Provision of Language Assistance to LEP Persons
- Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter
- NAJIT Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
- U.S. Department of Justice Sample Limited English Proficiency Guidelines from Office of Justice Programs “Center City Police Department”
- Steps for Obtaining Interpreters
- Tips for Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters
- Are you Compliant with Title VI Self-Assessment Tool
- Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement
- 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**
VAWA Confidentiality
- VAWA Confidentiality Statutes, Legislative History and Implementing Policy (2.23.17)
- 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**
- Quick Reference: VAWA Confidentiality Protections: Quoting Statutes, Regulations and DHS Policies (June 12, 2021)
- Quick Reference Guide for Judges: VAWA Confidentiality & Discovery Related Case Law
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance
- Quick Reference: VAWA Confidentiality Protections – Quoting Statutes Regulations and Department of Homeland Security Policies
- VAWA Confidentiality Protections, Courthouse Enforcement, and Sensitive Locations Policies at a Glance (December 27, 2021)
Public Benefits for Systems-Based and Other Victim Advocates
- All State Public Benefits Charts and Interactive Public Benefits Map (2022)
- State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021)
- State by State Demographics
- State by State Public Benefits Charts
- Interactive State Benefits Map
- Guide to the Public Benefits Map
- Privacy Protections for Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits
- Anti-Discrimination Provisions That Apply to Programs Receiving Federal Funding Services Victims of Violence Against Women Crimes
- Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status
- Flow Chart Public Charge Test and Housing Benefits
- Infographic Public Charge and Housing Benefits
- Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility and Immigrant Crime Victims
Prosecutor’s Tools Enhancing Work with Immigrant Crime Victims
- 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
- Family Court Bench Card on VAWA Confidentiality
**If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org
[1] This materials list includes publications issued by government agencies and materials produced by NIWAP in collaboration with national experts. Each of the materials included in this list developed with support from government funders contains government agency disclaimers.