Victim Assistance

U visas

Under federal law, certain undocumented immigrant crime victims may apply for a U nonimmigrant status visa, or U visa. A U visa allows eligible victims, along with certain family members, to live and work in the United States for up to four years, with the possibility of obtaining permanent resident status.

To receive a U visa, a victim must submit a completed I-918 Supplement B, U nonimmigrant status certification, along with other information regarding the criminal activity of which they were a victim. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office provides certification for eligible victims who have been, are being, or will likely be helpful to this office. This help may be with the prosecution of a case by this office, or with the investigation of a case that has been referred to this office for prosecution, even if this office decided not to prosecute the case. If the case was not referred for prosecution, please contact the police agency that took the report on the case. If the case was handled by another prosecutor’s office, please contact that office.

T visas

A T nonimmigrant status visa, or T visa, may be granted to certain undocumented immigrant victims of human trafficking who are in the United States as a result of trafficking. A T visa allows eligible victims, along with certain family members, to live and work in the United States for up to four years, with the possibility of obtaining permanent resident status. T visa recipients are also eligible for certain federal and state benefits and services.

To receive a T visa, a victim must submit evidence that they are a victim of trafficking and have cooperated with law enforcement. This evidence may be in the form of a completed I-914 Supplement B, Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for Victim of Trafficking in Persons. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office provides attestation to declarations for eligible victims who have been, are being, or will likely be cooperative with any and all reasonable requests made of them by this office, except where extenuating circumstances prevent cooperation. If your case has not been handled by this office, please contact the agency or prosecutor’s office with which you communicated in regards to your case.

Directions for submitting requests for certification of I-918B forms or attestation to I-914B forms

  1. Fill out the form, leaving blank only the certification or attestation section

  2. Click “file”, then “save as”, and name the document

  3. Send the filled out form, and any pertinent documents (police reports, docket information, etc.) via email to SCDAOvisas@State.MA.US

Certification of an I-918B form or attestation of a I-914B declaration by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is confirmation that the applicant is the victim of qualifying criminal activity and has been helpful to this office as required. It does not ensure acceptance of the U visa or T visa petition, and it is not an official endorsement in favor of acceptance of that petition.

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