SENATE PASSES BILL to INCREASE U VISAS - AMERICA: NO LEGAL NEED APPLY!

Senate Passes Bill to Increase U Visas

The U.S. Senate passed Thursday the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), S. 1925, a bill that contained provisions that would increase the number of U visas by tens of thousands. (See how Senators voted here) S. 1925, introduced by Senate Judiciary Chair Pat Leahy (D-VT), accomplishes this by increasing the number granted annually from 10,000 (the current ceiling) to 15,000, until all unused U visas since 2006 are recaptured. (S. 1925 at § 805)
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa in 2000 to allow aliens who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a victim of domestic violence, rape, or certain other crimes to obtain temporary legal status if they help law enforcement prosecute those crimes. (INA § 101(a)(15)(U); see also FAIR Legislative Update, Feb. 6, 2012) An alien can obtain a U visa regardless of legal status, remain in the country for four-years at a time, receive work authorization, and become eligible for a green card after three years. (INA § 214(p); USCIS Website on U visas)
Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) introduced a substitute amendment to the bill that would have stricken the U visa provisions, but it did not garner the 60 votes necessary to pass. (See S.Amdt.2095; see also vote on amendment)
Representative Sandy Adams (R-FL) has introduced H.R. 4970 in the House, a VAWA Reauthorization bill mirroring Sen. Hutchison and Grassley's alternative legislation. Rep. Adams reportedly told The Hill that the Judiciary Committee (of which she is a member) is likely to markup that legislation the week of May 7 and the full House may vote on it as soon as the week of May 14. (The Hill, Apr. 25, 2012)