For fiscal year 2014, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the statutory maximum of 10,000 petitions for U-1 nonimmigrant status. Despite reaching the cap, USCIS will continue to review pending petitions. All eligible petitioners who did not receive a U visa due to the cap will receive a letter from USCIS informing them that they will be put on a waiting list until a U visa becomes available. On October 1, 2014, USCIS will resume issuing U visas.
Implemented by Congress in 2008, the U visa program was designed as an extra aid to the law enforcement community in prosecuting aggravated felonies, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes. Since the program began, more than 89,600 victims and their families have received U visas.
Source: USCIS Approves 10,000 U Visas
