Des Plaines U Visa Lawyer

Are you looking for a U visa lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

At Dworsky Law Firm, we are trusted U visa lawyers serving clients across Des Plaines for over 25 years.

If you were the victim of a serious crime in Des Plaines and helped police investigate or prosecute it, you may be able to stay in the United States lawfully. Our Des Plaines, IL U visa lawyer can tell you whether your situation qualifies and what your petition needs to succeed. At Dworsky Law Firm, we have spent more than 25 years guiding immigrants through the most sensitive corners of the system, and we know how much depends on getting the details right. Reach out to our team to talk through what happened and what comes next.

U Visa Lawyer Des Plaines, IL

A U visa is a form of immigration relief for people who were harmed by a qualifying crime and who assisted law enforcement in the case. Congress created it to protect victims and to make communities safer, because people without status are far less likely to report a crime if doing so puts them at risk of removal.

Approximately one in three Des Plaines residents was born outside the United States, and many of them live in mixed-status households where calling the police feels dangerous. The U visa exists for exactly those situations. For eligible victims it opens the door to lawful status, a work permit, and eventually a path toward a green card.

Types of U Visa Cases We Handle in Des Plaines

Qualifying criminal activity covers a wide range of situations, and the harm does not have to be physical to count. These are the matters we handle most often for clients in Des Plaines, IL:

Domestic Violence. Abuse by a spouse, partner, or household member is one of the most common bases for a U visa. We work carefully with survivors, gather protective orders and police reports, and build the record while keeping the process as safe as possible.
Sexual Assault and Abuse. Survivors of sexual violence often carry lasting trauma, and their petitions require sensitivity as well as legal precision. We document the abuse and its effects without asking clients to relive more than the case demands.
Human Trafficking. Labor and sex trafficking victims may qualify for a U visa or a related T visa, depending on the facts. We look at both paths and pursue whichever fits the situation.
Felonious Assault. A serious violent attack that causes substantial harm can support a petition even when the attacker is never convicted. What matters is the harm and the victim’s cooperation.
Stalking and Repeated Threats. Ongoing harassment, threats, and unwanted contact are qualifying crimes in many cases. We connect the pattern of conduct to the required certification.
Witness Tampering and Obstruction. Being targeted because you agreed to cooperate with authorities is itself a qualifying activity. These cases depend on documenting your role in the investigation.
Law Enforcement Certifications. Every petition needs a signed Form I-918 Supplement B from a certifying agency. We prepare the request, follow up with the agency, and keep the case moving when a certification stalls.
Derivative Petitions for Family. A spouse, children, and in some cases parents and younger siblings can be included as derivatives. If your relationship raises other questions, our team can assess the alternatives with you.
Victims Facing Removal. Some clients come to us already in proceedings. We coordinate the petition with our defense strategy.
Green Cards for U Visa Holders. After three years in U status, most holders can pursue permanent residence.

Why Choose Dworsky Law Firm as my U Visa Lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

Decades of Immigration Experience Close to Home

Ashley Dworsky has practiced immigration law for more than 25 years and is admitted in Illinois and New York, before the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and before the United States Supreme Court. He has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2019. He is also an immigrant himself, which shapes how he handles cases that ask so much of the people living them.

A Record Clients Trust

We have guided countless families through complicated petitions, and our client reviews reflect it. As one of our clients has said before, they could tell that we genuinely care about helping people, not just closing a file. That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every U visa case. Contact our immigration lawyer in Des Plaines, IL today to reserve your consultation with us.

Understanding U Visa Cases

Qualifying Crimes, Requirements, and Benefits of a U Visa

A U visa is not automatic, and it helps to know what the government looks for before you file. In broad terms, a petition needs to show:

You were the victim of a qualifying criminal activity, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, felonious assault, or stalking.
You suffered substantial physical or mental harm as a result.
You have information about the crime and were, are, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement.
A certifying agency signs a Form I-918 Supplement B confirming your cooperation.
The crime happened in the United States or violated U.S. law.

If approved, the benefits are meaningful: up to four years of lawful status, work authorization, protection from removal, and the ability to include qualifying family members.

What Are Important Aspects of a U Visa Case?

The certification is the aspect most people underestimate. Law enforcement is not required to sign it, and agencies handle these requests differently, so the timing and the inquiry both matter. Strong petitions also depend on careful documentation of the harm you suffered, which can include medical records, counseling notes, and personal statements. Because these matters can overlap with our work and other humanitarian relief, we look at every avenue rather than forcing a single one.

What Is the U Visa Case Timeline?

Patience is part of this process. There is a statutory cap of 10,000 principal U visas each year, and filings run far higher, so the backlog now stretches for years. Here is how the general steps proceed:

File Form I-918 with the signed certification and supporting evidence.
Complete biometrics after USCIS accepts the petition.
Wait for a Bona Fide Determination, which can grant a work permit and protection from removal while the case is pending.
Receive placement on the waiting list once the annual cap is reached.
Get final approval when a visa number becomes available.

What Should You Bring to Your U Visa Consultation?

The more you bring, the more useful the first meeting is. Try to gather the following documentation if you have them available:

Any police reports, case numbers, or contact information for the officers involved.
Records tied to the crime, such as protective orders, medical records, or court documents.
Proof of the harm you experienced, including counseling or treatment records.
Identity and immigration documents for you and any family members you hope to include.

Expect an honest conversation, where we tell you where your case stands, what a petition would involve, and whether another form of relief might serve you better.

Des Plaines and Cook County Resources for Crime Victims

Des Plaines sits in Cook County, and local resources can support you alongside your petition. The U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence both connect victims with services. The Circuit Court of Cook County handles criminal and protective-order matters that often proceed parallel to a U visa case. For the immigration side, USCIS Form I-918 and the agency’s U nonimmigrant status pages explain the federal requirements in understandable terms.

Reach Out to Dworsky Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

A U visa case can feel overwhelming, especially when you are still living with potential abuse. You do not have to go through this alone. Our team can review your situation, explain your options clearly, and handle the paperwork with the care these cases demand. Contact us to schedule a consultation, and we will get back to you promptly to talk about the path ahead.