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Santa Cruz police announces program to help undocumented immigrants obtain U Visas

November 20, 2017

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Helping victims of crimes obtain immigration relief in exchange for collaborating with the criminal system, that is the goal of a new police program in Santa Cruz.

This announced effort, on Monday, according to officials, is to inform and expedite the process of an undocumented victim seeking a U Visa.

"With this program we have two goals to help victims and help the criminal process," said Officer Leo Gomez with the Santa Cruz Police Department. "Now what we are doing is contacting the victims from the beginning of the investigation so that they know that the benefit is available and that we can help them."

The U Visa has existed since 2000 and grants temporary immigration relief to undocumented immigrants who have been victims of violent crimes.

"Theft, attempted homicide, may be crimes against minors, crimes of sexual nature or crimes between conjugues," Gómez explained.

The process to obtain this immigration relief is usually seven years since there are several regulations to qualify.

First you have to be a victim of a violent crime committed in the United States. Second you have to report it and third you have to work with agents to solve it.

"We have to send the victim's request plus the request mentioning that the victim collaborated and that's where the police departments come in," said Paz Padilla with the Catholic Charities Organization of the Diocese of Monterey.

These certificates of the authorities sometimes last months or years to arrive.

"That process has stopped us in previous cases so I think this will expedite us so that the process continues and the application to immigration is met," said Padilla.

Central Coast congressman Jimmy Panetta is backing a proposed law that would increase the number of visas that are granted.

Currently they only approve 10-thousand a year.

If approved, that legislation would also prohibit ICE from focusing its operations on undocumented persons who have reported crimes, among other things.

Issues:Immigration