Protecting Immigrant Victims: Expanded Visas and Deportation Ban for Hate Crime Victims.
This Act aims to enhance the safety of immigrants and refugees by making it easier for victims of hate crimes to obtain legal status and protection. It prohibits the deportation and establishes a presumption of release from detention for victims applying for protective visas, encouraging them to report crimes without fear. The law also funds training for law enforcement and prosecutors to better identify and assist these individuals.
Key points
The U Visa (for crime victims cooperating with police) is expanded to explicitly cover "hate crime acts," and the annual cap is increased by 2,000 visas specifically for hate crime victims.
Non-citizens with pending applications for protective visas (like U or T visas) cannot be deported or detained unless they pose a proven threat or flight risk.
$10 million annually is authorized for grants to train law enforcement and community organizations on identifying and assisting non-citizen victims of anti-immigrant hate violence.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_2536
Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Process start date: 2021-04-14