According to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, the U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of U visa qualifying crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of U visa qualifying criminal activity. Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of noncitizens and other U visa qualifying crimes, while also protecting victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the U visa qualifying crime and have cooperated with law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of U visa qualifying crimes. 

Immigration status and information regarding the victim will not be disclosed. DPD will not inquire about immigration status of victim, and also friends or family of the victim who are not suspected of the criminal activity reported. Victims and others assisting in the case should not be required to prove their citizenship status, country of origin, or information related to their immigration status

For questions or more information, email the Detroit Police Department at U-Visa@detroitmi.gov. 

For more information and to apply for a U visa, visit https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-criminal-activity-u-nonim…