Some Answers on U visas from AILA’s meeting with the DHS

The NSC Liaison Committee’s official Q&As from the 10/13/16 teleconference relating to humanitarian, document production, and status/family issues. Topics included: refugee travel documentation and work authorization, and the implementation and status of the U visa unit at the NSC.

U Visas
1. Please provide information on the implementation of the U visa unit at NSC, including the type of training that has been provided to the new adjudicators. What quality control mechanisms are being implemented upon VSC staff’s departure following the training?

Response: VSC sent senior officers and the Section Chief to establish processes and procedures for all aspects of adjudication of the I-918, I-918A, I-765 and inadmissibility waivers. They were on site for 6 weeks. NSC officers continue to have VSC mentors available and both continue to work closely together to ensure consistency.

2. How many U visa cases have been transferred to date? When in FY 2017 can we expect another transfer of U visa cases to NSC? Will the public be notified when this occurs?

Response: A little over 3,000 principals with their derivatives have been transferred for a total of11,000 files. Another transfer is likely in the first quarter of FY 2017 and transfer notices will besent out for any cases sent to NSC.

3. How many supervisors are currently in the U visa unit? Are there any plans to assign additional adjudicators and/or supervisors to this unit?

Response: There are 3 supervisors at NSC. NSC hopes to add additional officers in FY 2017 but it is unknown how many and when this will take place.

4. We understand that NSC will be working on the older I-918 applications. Can you share which filing dates NSC is working on at this time?

Response: NSC is working on a portion of the oldest cases. Steps have been taken to ensure that both VSC and NSC work on the same filing dates. NSC is working on a portion of cases from June
2014 to August 2014.

5. Are the RFEs and denials issued by NSC for this first batch of cases being reviewed before they are sent out? If so, who performs the review? A supervisor? The officer’s VSC mentor?

Response: All RFEs and denials are being reviewed by supervisors. Officers continue to work with their mentors. NSC supervisors are also assigned to supervisor mentors at VSC.

6. When does NSC anticipate implementing its own hotline communication address and system?

Response: NSC hopes to implement this in the 2nd quarter of FY 2017. For now continue to go through VSC. VSC will work with NSC to get an answer.

7. Will NSC issue a processing times report for U visa cases?

Response: VSC will continue to provide processing times for U visas with input from NSC

Source AILA

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Shah Peerally is an attorney licensed in California practicing immigration law and debt settlement. He has featured as an expert legal analyst for many TV networks such as NDTV, Times Now and Sitarree TV. Articles about Shah Peerally and his work have appeared on newspapers such as San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, US Fiji Times, Mauritius Le Quotidien, Movers & Shakers and other prominent international newspapers. His work has been commended by Congress women Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Lee. He has a weekly radio show on KLOK 1170AM and frequently participates in legal clinics in churches, temples and mosques. His law group, Shah Peerally Law Group, has represented clients all over the United States constantly dealing with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Custom Enforcement(ICE) and CBP (Customs Border Patrol (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This department was formerly known as the Immigration and Nationality Services (INS).