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California U Visa Law Update
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA
Law enforcement agencies in California have been responding to requests for U visa certifications for many years to allow immigrant survivors of crime and their family members to apply for U nonimmigrant status. However, until 2016 there was no statewide standard or protocol for certifications. Several bills have passed in the meantime to further streamline the process. Most recently, AB 1261 was signed into law in October 2023 and went into effect on 01/01/2024. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center and the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice wrote this advisory to summarize California state laws on U visa certifications, including the newest provisions.
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Organizational Letter to Texas Members of Congress
Civic Participation
Policy Advocacy
Texas-based organizations comprised of, representing, and serving individuals and communities directly impacted by border enforcement measures write to Texas Members of Congress to seek solidarity and to implore not to worsen the crisis by layering over sweeping new federal border and asylum restrictions. The organizational letter highlights how these changes would have disastrous consequences not only for migrants but for Texas communities, who are presently living under the oppressive and unconstitutional Operation Lone Star.

Merle Kahn

Merle Kahn has been exclusively practicing immigration law for over thirty years. For the past fifteen years she has been increasingly focusing her practice on the intersection of criminal and immigration law and on removal defense. She has vast experience in removal defense, federal appeals, the immigration consequences of crimes, family immigration, naturalization, and humanitarian immigration such as asylum, VAWA and U visas.

Danielle Smith

Image of Danielle holding pink flowers

Danielle Smith (she/her), a Cleveland native with a passion for social justice, landed in the Bay Area in 2014. Since graduating from The University of San Francisco with a degree in Performing Arts & Social Justice, she's channeled her passion into supporting various non-profit organizations, particularly those focused on food justice and arts education. Her expertise lies in administrative roles, where she has honed her skills in communications, marketing, and event planning.

Options for Survivors in Criminal Court
Community Resources
Crimes
Post-Conviction Relief
Prosecutors
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA
Criminal Convictions can have serious consequences on peoples’ lives – especially non-citizens who wish to stay in the United States. Many immigration benefits have criminal bars, meaning that certain convictions will prevent you from getting a lawful immigration status, like permanent residence (green card). This Community Explainer offers some options for those who have had certain convictions related to domestic violence or human trafficking, with insights about how to define these crimes, some example scenarios, and explanations about the benefits of a legal tool called a “vacatur.”
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