North Carolina, Asheville- Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller announced a new policy to support victims of human trafficking and other crimes who live in the county and are undocumented.
Miller announced at a press conference held on May 21 that the Sheriff's Office is committed to participating in the verification process that is required for those applying for nonimmigrant visas granted to victims of human trafficking, sexual crimes , serious crimes and other crimes.
These are the so-called U/T visas, a type of visa that requires verification of the crime and a signature from the local police to begin the process at the immigration office.
“This is very important. We are here to serve our entire community, not just certain individuals. We are here to serve everyone, regardless of their immigration status,” Sheriff Miller said at the session, which included simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
Related: What is a U Visa?
Work together with local organizations
The new policy presented seeks to encourage people to declare the crimes they suffer and encourage them to be witnesses in cases of serious crimes and other crimes.
To this end, the sheriff's office worked closely with organizations such as Pisgah Legal Services (free legal advice, public defenders, and community legal services for underserved populations in Western North Carolina), Mountain Immigrant Partners in Action (CIMA), and OUR Voice (an organization that accompanies survivors of sexual violence).
“We all deserve to cooperate and be able to witness crimes,” Sheriff Miller said, explaining that people without immigration status can come to his office without fear to report any crime they have suffered so it can be investigated.
"We want to do what's right. We stand for the truth, no matter what other counties or states do," said the Sheriff of Buncombe, the most populous county in western North Carolina.
Immigrant testimonies
Keila E., beneficiary of the U Visa, participated in the press conference. Keyla is a young Mexican woman, resident of Asheville,
“I'm a U Visa recipient because of my mother. She was very strong despite everything she went through. I think it's very important to continue informing the community because often, due to a lack of information and language barriers, people don't seek help, they don't know that help exists,” Keyla said.
Keila's mother was a victim of domestic violence in the United States and, after a process of many years, received a U Visa, which was finally also extended to her two children.
Francisco Ramírez, a Mexican immigrant who was the victim of a violent assault at gunpoint in Asheville, also testified. “After that moment, I couldn't sleep. I was in terrible shape. So I sought psychological help, but they refused me. I was discriminated against,” he explained.
Ramírez went to a psychological clinic in Asheville, where he was treated and medicated, but the secretary of the institution tore up the prescription that the doctor had given him and kicked him out of the place, telling him that he had no right to be there because he was Mexican. Ramírez reported the case to the sheriff's office and is currently applying to obtain a U visa, a process that can take between 10 and 14 years.
Related: Eligible Social Security beneficiaries will receive additional payments
U and T visas for undocumented
“U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is reserved for victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and who assist law enforcement agencies and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity,” according to the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Meanwhile, T nonimmigrant status is a temporary immigration benefit that allows some victims of a severe form of human trafficking to remain in the United States for up to 4 years if they have assisted law enforcement in an investigation. or prosecution of acts of human trafficking.
As reported by Carolina Siliceo Pérez, a communicator from the sheriff's office, reports of human trafficking crimes in Buncombe County have been increasing in recent years: in 2020 there were 2; in 2021, 1; in 2022, 11; and so far in 2023, 7.
Certification policy for U visa
The new U/T visa certification policy “represents our commitment to participating in the certification process required under various federal visa programs available to immigrant crime victims.”
“The purpose of this policy is to encourage immigrant victims to report crimes and protect them from becoming victims of criminal activity. The collaboration between our office and community organizations reflects our dedication to finding better ways to serve crime victims and their families,” said Sheriff Miller.
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
