Other rights of immigrant victims of crime
VAWA, S, T or U Visa applicants are eligible for employment authorization and certain federal and state benefits and services.
No agency or worker within the Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, can disclose that a victim has applied for VAWA, T or U immigration benefits. Your privacy will be protected and the government will not tell your abuser about your application and will not ask your abuser for information about you, even if your abuser is the only person who has that information.
Warning: You may be deported if your application is not approved.
Under a new policy, the immigration agencies of the United States have announced that they will begin a removal (deportation) proceeding against any person who is not in lawful immigration status if their application is denied, including against applicants who file applications based on domestic violence. Filing an application is risky if the government does not know about you.
For this reason, we encourage you to consult with an immigration lawyer before filing any application.
You can find more information about your rights at Immi.org.
Or call the New York State New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636. The New Americans Hotline provides live assistance and referrals in more than 200 languages. Anyone can call the hotline regardless of citizenship or documented status.