AP: Immigrants sue over crime victim visas

[Eugene]

Immigrants sue over crime victim visas

By JULIANA BARBASSA, Associated Press Writer

Wed Mar 7, 11:21 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO - Attorneys for undocumented immigrants who have suffered violent
crimes sued the federal government Wednesday for failing to issue protective visas
approved by Congress more than six years ago.

The 2000 Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act created a visa category
allowing such victims who cooperate with law enforcement to remain in the country
and eventually apply for permanent residency.

But immigration officials haven't implemented the "U" visa, making it impossible
for people to take advantage of the protection, the attorneys said.

-snip-

Federal officials said immigrants who qualify for the visa have been allowed to
remain in the country while they await the regulations. But that doesn't allow them
to leave and re-enter and may not count toward the three years they have to wait
to get permanent residency, the plaintiffs' lawyers said.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/ap_on_re_us/immigrant_victim_visa

[noonwitch]

1. If an immigrant who is a victim of human trafficking helps authorities...

She should get asylum in this country or some other safe haven (Canada, Britain, etc.). The risk involved in betraying the smugglers/pimps to the INS/FBI/Interpol is so high there should be a promise of citizenship as a reward for that assistance. Also, if her own family sold her into that situation, she can hardly go back home again.