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U-Visa
Approved

Carlos Hernandez

Crime Victim Obtains U-Visa After 5-Year Wait

Carlos was a victim of a violent crime and cooperated with law enforcement. Despite the lengthy U-Visa backlog, we secured his status and he's now a green card holder.

Case Journey Timeline

Initial Evaluation

March 20, 2019

Filing

April 25, 2019

+36 days from previous milestone

Approval

May 15, 2024

+1847 days from previous milestone

Total Processing Time: 1883 days

Timeline Overview: Carlos consulted with our firm after obtaining law enforcement certification. We explained the U-Visa process and lengthy waiting period.

Visa Obtained

U-Visa

Where Carlos Is Now

Carlos is now a lawful permanent resident and works as a warehouse supervisor. He successfully petitioned for his wife, who joined him in the United States last year. They're expecting their first child and recently purchased their first home. Carlos volunteers with a crime victim advocacy group, helping others navigate the U-Visa process.

1 year since approval

Case Highlights

Total Case Time

5 years

From filing to U-Visa approval

Work Authorization

Within 9 months

Received EAD while waiting for visa number

Green Card Path

Achieved

Successfully adjusted to permanent resident

What Carlos Hernandez Said

"The wait was long, but Elizabeth Rosario Law never gave up on my case. They kept me informed, helped me get work authorization while waiting, and when my approval finally came, they immediately helped me get my green card. They truly care about their clients."

Carlos Hernandez

El Desafío

Carlos suffered a violent assault and wanted to help law enforcement, but feared his undocumented status would lead to deportation. He needed legal protection while waiting for U-Visa processing and support for his family during the lengthy wait.

Nuestra Solución

We filed a strong U-Visa petition highlighting Carlos's cooperation and suffering. Our strategy included: securing interim work authorization, maintaining consistent communication during the wait, updating USCIS on address changes and life events, preparing for green card eligibility in advance, and providing support throughout the 5-year journey.

La Historia Completa

Carlos was the victim of a serious assault that left him with both physical and psychological trauma. Despite his undocumented status at the time, he bravely cooperated with law enforcement to help prosecute his attackers.

When Carlos came to our firm, he had already obtained law enforcement certification but didn't know what to do next. He was worried about the U-Visa cap and the long waiting times he'd heard about. Our team explained the process thoroughly and immediately began preparing his application.

We submitted a comprehensive U-Visa petition that included detailed personal statements, law enforcement certification, medical records, psychological evaluations, and evidence of his substantial suffering. While waiting for the cap to open, Carlos received deferred action and work authorization, allowing him to support his family legally.

After 5 years on the waiting list, Carlos received his U-Visa approval. We immediately began preparing his green card application. Today, Carlos is a lawful permanent resident, employed full-time, and has brought his wife to the United States legally.

The Outcome

Carlos received U-Visa approval and subsequently adjusted to lawful permanent resident status. During the wait, he had work authorization that allowed him to support his family. He's now thriving in his career and has petitioned for his wife to join him.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every immigration case is unique and outcomes depend on the specific facts and applicable law. Processing times shown reflect individual case circumstances.

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