Human Trafficking, U/T Visa Certification, Deferred Action/Statement of Interest
This webpage provides information about human trafficking, including information about how to request that CRD investigate a complaint of human trafficking as well as information about relief that may be available to survivors. In addition, this webpage provides information about how to request CRD’s support in requests to the federal government for deferred action and/or visa certification that are available to victims of certain crimes or labor violations and who assist CRD’s enforcement of the law.
U Visas
A U Visa is a United States nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse while in the U.S. and who are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. It permits such victims to enter or remain in the US when they might not otherwise be able to do so.
To obtain a U Visa, victims of qualifying crimes must demonstrate to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services their willingness to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of the crime, among other requirements (please see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status for a fuller explanation).
Your U Visa application must be supported by a certification from a law enforcement agency, such as the Civil Rights Department (CRD). Either you or your representative must ask that CRD complete a U Visa certification on your behalf.
In order to complete a U Visa certification, CRD must find that you were a victim of a certain crime, or that someone attempted, conspired, or asked (solicited) someone else to commit a crime against you. CRD must also find that you have been helpful or are likely to be helpful to its investigation or prosecution of your case.
Below is the list of crimes that can support a U Visa certification. The crime must have occurred in the United States, or have violated United States’ laws:
Abusive Sexual Contact
Blackmail
Domestic Violence
Extortion
False Imprisonment
Female Genital Mutilation
Felonious Assault
Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting
Hostage
Incest
Involuntary Servitude
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Murder
Peonage
Perjury
Prostitution
Rape
Sexual Exploitation
Slave Trade
Stalking
Torture
Trafficking
Witness Tampering
Unlawful Criminal Restraint
Other Related Crimes*†
*Includes any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar.
†Also includes attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above and other related crimes.
- To learn more about U Visas, contact Brenda Valle-Balderrama at (800) 884-1684 or visacertification@calcivilrights.ca.gov