(B)  Application of Spouse, Child or Parent of the Victim/Witness.  The spouse, child, or, in the case of a child, the parent of an applicant for a “U” visa may also apply for the visa.  The spouse, child or parent must establish extreme hardship to him- or herself.  In addition, a federal, state, or local official must certify that an investigation or prosecution would be harmed without the assistance of the spouse, child or parent.

Fourth Circuit

INADMISSIBILITY " VISA FRAUD " SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Yang v. Holder, 770 F.3d 294 (4th Cir. Oct. 29, 2014) (BIA erred in finding that petitioner was inadmissible under 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i), since the record lacked substantial evidence to support a determination that noncitizen made deliberate and voluntary misrepresentations to procure an immigration benefit, even though Immigration Judge found noncitizens testimony regarding asylum claim was not credible).

Fifth Circuit

RELIEF U-VISA
Orosco-Ordonez v. Napolitano, 598 F.3d 222 (5th Cir. Mar. 2, 2010) (the decision of a law enforcement agency to request a U-visa is discretionary; noncitizen may not file habeas petition to compel issuance).

Seventh Circuit

RELIEF " U-VISA " JUDICIAL REVIEW
Torres-Tristan v. Holder, 56 F.3d 653 (7th Cir. Sept. 1, 2011) (court lacks jurisdiction to review denial of U-visa or I-192 waiver as decisions made outside removal proceedings).

Ninth Circuit

RELIEF " POLITICAL ASYLUM " PARTICULARLY SERIOUS CRIME " DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Delgado v. Holder, 648 F.3d 1095 (9th Cir. Aug. 19, 2011) (conviction for driving under the influence could be considered particularly serious crime to disqualify a noncitizen from eligibility for withholding of removal under 8 U.S.C. 1252(a)(2)(B)(ii)).

RELIEF - U-VISA
Lee v. Holder, 599 F.3d 973 (9th Cir. Mar. 25, 2010) (Immigration Judge lacks jurisdiction to consider application for U-Visa interim relief).

Other

RELIEF -- LEGISLATION " VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMENS ACT " REAUTHORIZED AND EXPANDED
On Mar. 7, 2013, the President signed into law the reauthorized Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The reauthorization contains some expanded protections for immigrants, but did not increase the number of available U visas. The law includes new provisions on stalking, children of self-petitioners, children of U visa applicants, immigrants engaged to citizens, and funding for law enforcement to fight trafficking. The text of the reauthorization passed by Congress at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?21056.

RELIEF - U-VISA
New Interim Rule (Sept. 17, 2007): http://bibdaily.com/pdfs/E7-17807.pdf

Analysis by ASISTA and Legal Momentums Immigrant Women Program: http://bibdaily.com/pdfs/NN%20U%20visa%20regs%20fact%20sheet%20final%209-11-07.pdf

FEDERAL PROSECUTION IMMIGRATION PROMISES UNLAWFUL WITHOUT DHS APPROVAL
Assistant United States Attorneys lack the authority to bind immigration authorities unless they obtain written assent from the immigration authorities and otherwise comply with 28 C.F.R. 0.197.

RELIEF " VISAS " U VISAS " STATISTICS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced in late August 2012 that it had approved 10,000 U visas, the annual statutory maximum. The U visa is for victims of certain crimes who are helpful with law enforcement investigations or prosecutions. An approved visa allows the person to remain in the U.S., get a work permit, and eventually apply for legal residency. 10,000 U visas were issued throughout this fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2012. The Vermont Service Center reports that it is currently "preprocessing" U applications, and plans to send out approvals and work authorization to those pre-approved, after the first of October. - Guidance from ASISTA on how to proceed now that USCIS has reached the 10,000 cap on principal U visas for this fiscal year, which also addresses derivatives and requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?20120. - A practice advisory from ASISTA on the intersection of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and U visa derivatives at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?20121. - A practice advisory from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center on the U nonimmigrant status eligibility requirements for children and youth at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?20122. Podcast: - Gail Pendleton of ASISTA discusses how to work with Local Enforcement Agencies on U Visa Certifications at http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/link.cfm?19421. Other Resources: ASISTA ASISTA provides a resource page on U Visas that includes tips for filing, regulations, checklists for clients, case law, guidance for different procedural postures, and more at http://www.asistahelp.org/index.cfm?nodeID=23546&audienceID=1. Catholic Legal Immigration Network The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) offers a Spanish U visa fact sheet for clients at http://cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/UVisa%20Flier%20Sp.pdf. Legal Momentum Legal Momentum has a resource page on U visa training materials and tools at http://iwp.legalmomentum.org/immigration/u-visa/tools. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a webpage with information on U visas, including basic requirements, questions and answers, and links to other resources at http://1.usa.gov/aqBYoi.