U-visa application clinic (10 to 15 clients) or study group (5 to 10 clients). Help low-income, immigrant crime victims gain legal status. U Nonimmigrant Status - commonly known as "U-Visas" - is available to crime victims who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and have cooperated with law enforcement.
The clinic is 5 hours, including 1.5 hours of training, 0.5 hours of case prep, and 3 hours of client meetings. At the clinic, volunteers will meet with clients, complete initial forms, and identify relevant documentation to support the application, and create a plan for proceeding on the case. Partnering law firms commit to providing full representation to the clients, which generally entails an additional two or three meetings to complete a supporting affidavit and the remainder of the application.
The "study group" provides many of the benefits of a clinic without the scheduling challenges. Volunteers receive their client file 1 week prior to the study group. LSNYC will them come to the firm for 2 hours - consisting of 1.5 hours of training on U-Visas and 0.5 hours of consultation about cases. Pro bono attorneys commit to schedule client meetings within 1 week of the training. LSNYC will return in 4 to 8 weeks for a check in and to review draft affidavits and applications. Partnering law firms commit to providing full representation to the clients, which generally entails an additional two or three meetings to complete a supporting affidavit and the remainder of the application.