Montgomery County, Md. — Montgomery County officials are pushing for new legislation aimed at protecting victims of violent crimes, regardless of their immigration status.
The “Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act” (U VISA), introduced on Tuesday, provides legal protection for immigrant victims of violent crimes who are seeking legal status.
Councilman Evan Glass emphasized that the legislation was a direct response to the national election results. “The election has changed everything. We want to ensure everyone is protected and that the law supports them. This is just one of many efforts we expect across Maryland,” Glass said.
Councilwoman Natali Fani-González spoke at a press conference, explaining that many immigrants fear federal immigration enforcement and are reluctant to seek police help when they need it most.
The U VISA allows victims of violent crimes—such as sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence—to apply for legal status, particularly those who assist law enforcement with investigations. Currently, victims can apply if they cooperate with authorities, but Montgomery County imposes a 10-year limit on applications. The new bill would remove this time restriction, allowing more individuals to apply, even if a significant amount of time has passed since the crime.
“We are taking every necessary step to ensure that, regardless of federal actions, we continue to protect our community,” Fani-González said.
The legislation outlines four key eligibility criteria:
1. The individual must have suffered significant physical or mental abuse due to being a victim of a qualifying crime.
2. The individual must have information about the crime.
3. The individual must have assisted, is assisting, or is likely to assist in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.
4. The criminal activity must have violated U.S. or state laws.
For those seeking to apply or requiring more information, Montgomery County offers assistance with the application process.
Related topics:
- Amsterdam Violence Highlights Rising Anti-Immigrant and Islamophobic Tensions in the Netherlands
- Why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is Cutting the Number of Immigrants Coming to Canada
- ‘People Are Terrified’: Immigration Lawyer Responds to President-Elect Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan
