U Visa Application Certification Requests
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Bettered Immigrant Women's Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of aliens and other crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes.
The Solicitor's Office will review all requests for U Visa Certification to determine if the applicant was a victim on a State Court case that was being prosecuted by this office and whether the victim was cooperative with the investigation and prosecution of the crime. In addition, the applicant must have been a victim of a crime, and assist with the resolution of the case at trial, with the disposition of the case being a Pre-trial Diversion Program, and/or a conviction. The Cobb County Solicitor's Office reserves the right to decline certification requests of those applicants who fail to meet these criteria.
Applicants for U Visa Certifications WILL NOT BE REVIEWED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY:
- A I-918 Supplemental B form with sections 1 and 3 filled out
- A copy of the police department incident report;
- The State Court case number;
- Contact information for the applicant or his or her representative;
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
U Visa Certification Application Requests should be sent to:
Kennedy Tesch, Victim Advocate
Cobb County Solicitor's Office
10 East Park Sq., Suite 500
Marietta, GA 30090
OR
Email to kennedy.tesch@cobbcounty.org
Feedback
June 2024
The Solicitor General’s Office recently received some positive feedback that our office was instrumental in helping a victim of a crime with a temporary visa through our U-Visa program.
The victim’s attorney told us, “This is life changing! Our office goes above and beyond to help survivors and we are so grateful.”