Crucial Facts About Applying for U Visas in New Jersey

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New Jersey has many immigrants. If you walk around Newark, you will see the American melting pot in all its glory. You’ll hear many languages and see individuals with many clothing styles enjoying different ethnic foods.


Many people feel America works so well because of this thriving diversity. Immigration comes into play, as many desire US citizenship for various reasons. They come seeking U visas in New Jersey and elsewhere.


We will talk about obtaining U visas in the Garden State right now.

What is a U Visa?

U visas are available for some crime victims. The U visa means you can help law enforcement agencies prosecute or investigate crimes without having any deportation fears.


Applying for a U visa in New Jersey isn’t very difficult, though getting one presents certain challenges. If you apply, understand that the U visa does not cover all crimes. It exists for serious ones. Those usually include things like felony assault, sexual violence, stalking, or domestic violence.

Can You Use It to Get Citizenship?

Say that you’re a New Jersey resident, but you’re not a US national. You don’t have citizenship. Instead, you’re living here in the US and have temporary legal status.


Someone harms you through a serious crime like we’ve described. The US might grant you a U visa. You think you might leverage that and become a US citizen. Can you do it?


A U visa holder can try getting lawful permanent resident status after living in the US for three years. Lawful permanent resident status means getting a green card. The two terms mean the same thing.


You can go from having a U visa to enjoying permanent resident status. If you live in the US for five years with a green card, you can attempt the citizenship application process at that time.


You can sometimes go from having a U visa in New Jersey to enjoying US citizenship status, but that takes eight years, minimum. You might go that route, but you must exercise patience and not get into any legal entanglements in the meantime.

How Can I Get a U Visa in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, getting a U visa isn’t the easiest prospect. You must prove that someone committed a serious crime against you and that you suffered mental or physical harm. Ultimately, you can present your case, and a judge will decide whether you qualify.


You must also assist law enforcement. Usually, that means reporting what happened and who harmed you. You get preferential treatment because you helped the police. If the court system convicts the person who hurt you, you helped get a dangerous criminal off the street. You will likely get your U visa if that happens.

Is a U Visa Like a Green Card?

Having a U visa helps you as you live and work in the US, but your situation with one remains somewhat tenuous. With a green card, you have more protection, and you can feel more secure.


The U visa status grants you some deportation protections. You can also work in the US with a U visa. Not all companies will accept you as an employee, but many will if you have a helpful skill set.


We already explained how the U visa can open up a potential citizenship pathway. It’s one good thing that might come if someone harms you. From their crime comes a citizenship opportunity.

What Helps You Get Your U Visa?

If someone harmed you, and you help the police capture and convict them, you must demonstrate that during your U visa hearing. If you can get someone from the police to testify on your behalf, a judge should regard that favorably.


If you have several police officers, detectives, prosecutors, or anyone else who might say you provided critical witness testimony and put someone dangerous behind bars, you’re in good shape. The law enforcement agency you helped can give you a special certification. It talks about what you did. The police call this document a I-198B.


You Might Face a Backlog

There’s one more issue worth mentioning. The US does not grant many U visas per year. You might wait several years while the courts process your request.


Getting a competent lawyer who knows this citizenship pathway can sometimes help you. They can guide you as you navigate this sometimes-tricky process.


You might eventually earn citizenship this way, but it takes time, patience, and fortitude.