Purpose:

The St. Paul Police Department is committed to evaluating U Visa and T Visa applications in accordance with the guidelines provided by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service as well as requirements set forth in the St. Paul Code of Ordinances.

Definitions:

U Visa:  A United States nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.

T Visa: To be eligible for a T visa, an individual must have traveled to the United States because they were recruited, forced, abducted, or deceived by the perpetrator of human trafficking and would not have been present in the U.S. if it were not for the actions of that person.

Procedures:

  1. The Chief of Police designates a sergeant assigned to the Narcotics/Vice Unit as the certifying official authorized to review, process, and certify requests as legally appropriate on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration all relevant facts.

  2. The Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division designates the Office Assistant (OA) assigned to the Narcotics unit as the intake point of contact for all applications. The OA will maintain a log of applications to include the date of receipt, disposition, and date of disposition.

  3. Applications will be either approved or denied within 30 days of receipt or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter if the processing is delayed by the need to seek off-site records or other good cause.

  4. Applications that have a victim or a qualifying family member of victims who are in removal proceedings shall be processed within 7 days or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter if the processing is delayed by the need to seek off-site records or other good cause. The OA will notify the certifying official of any applications for an expedited referral.

  5. The certifying official will review and approve applications that meet the guidelines established by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service within the timelines in paragraphs 3 and 4.

  6. Applications that do not appear to meet the requirements for approval will be reviewed by the designated certifying official along with the department’s representative from the St. Paul City Attorney’s office.

  7. Before a decision to deny a request is made, the certifying official, his/her immediate supervisor and of the Executive Sergeant of the Major Crimes Division, will review the application and make a final determination.

Effective July 11, 2018

Last Edited: July 11, 2018