Labor Dept to help crime victims get special visas
Mar 17, 6:22 PM EDT
By JULIANA BARBASSA
Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Immigrants who have been victims of crimes and help authorities prosecute perpetrators can now get help from the U.S. Labor Department with their applications for a special type of visa.
Investigators of workplace violations have been authorized to certify applications for a U visa to stay in the country, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said.
In the past, law enforcement agencies were responsible for signing off on the applications that must receive final approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
To qualify for the visas, immigrants have to show they suffered a specific crime such as sexual assault or being forced to work without pay, and show they helped law enforcement in their investigation.
The Labor Department action is intended to help immigrants who might be afraid to call police or unable to escape their workplace.
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