Testimony on Best Practices for NYC Agencies, Courts and Law Enforcement Authorized to Certify Immigrant Victims for U and T Visas

SUMMARY

The Immigration and Nationality Law Committee (Victoria Neilson, Chair; Deborah Lee testifying) and City Bar Justice Center Immigrant Justice Project (Suzanne Tomatore, Co-Director) provided testimony at a New York City Council Committee on Immigration hearing examining best practices for City agencies, courts, and law enforcement to certify immigrant victims to apply for U and T nonimmigrant status (“U and T visas”) with federal immigration authorities. U and T visas provide critical protection and legal status to immigrant victims of serious crimes and trafficking, so that they can continue to be available to assist law enforcement, hold perpetrators of crimes accountable, and heal from the devastation of the crimes they have suffered. Both testimonies highlighted the importance of providing access and information to immigrant victims about the availability of U and T visas. In these times of increased federal enforcement and heightened concerns among immigrant communities, it is essential that the City devote the resources, time and training needed to ensure clarity, efficiency and cohesion in how it handles certifications for U and T visas across all facets of the government.

Read the testimony of Suzanne Tomatore, co-director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the City Bar Justice Center here.

HEARING INFORMATION

T2017-6520 – Oversight: Best Practices for NYC Agencies, Courts, and Law Enforcement Authorized to Certify Immigrant Victims for U and T visas
September 13, 2017

Deborah Lee, Immigration & Nationality Law Committee member (second from right), and Suzanne Tomatore, co-director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the City Bar Justice Center (far right), testify at the City Council’s Committee on Immigration hearing.