A new program, designed to help undocumented people that are victims of crime, has been launched in Santa Cruz. It works with a national program called U-Visa. City officials want undocumented immigrants to know they can report violent crimes, without being afraid they’ll be deported if they have signed-up for U-Visa status. Congress created the U Non-Immigrant Visa when the Victims Of Trafficking And Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) was passed in October of 2000. The legislation was intended to protect victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation (or prosecution) of the criminal activity.
