U-Visa or T-Visa Law Enforcement Certification
The Seattle Police Department is committed to protecting and serving all victims of crime, regardless of citizenship status, documentation or language ability. It is the policy of the Seattle Police Department to protect immigrants' access to police protection and public services.
A U-Visa is a temporary visa allowing immigration protection for victims of qualifying crimes who are helpful to law enforcement in the detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. T-Visas provide immigration benefits to victims of trafficking.
A complete U-Visa application must include a signed law enforcement certification form (Form I-918B) from a law enforcement agency where the crime occurred. This certification form confirms victim cooperation with the law enforcement investigation. Without law enforcement certification, the U-Visa will be denied.
If the incident(s) occurred within Seattle city limits, applicants can submit their completed I-918 documents for certification to the Seattle Police Department. Seattle Police Department does not grant or guarantee a U-Visa or any other immigration status by signing a law enforcement certification. Only USCIS (the federal component of DHS responsible for approving and denying immigration benefits and status) may grant or deny a U-Visa after a full review of the petition.
In accordance with SHB 1022, the Seattle Police Department shall respond to victim requests for law enforcement certification forms for U and T Visas:
- Upon affirmative determination, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) shall review the completed Supplemental B form and sign the law enforcement certification.
- SPD shall process the certification within ninety days of request, unless the victim is in federal immigration 5 removal proceedings, in which case SPD shall execute the certification no later than fourteen days after the request is received.
- SPD shall not disclose personal identifying information, or information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any victim of criminal activity or trafficking who is requesting a certification.
For more information on the process and forms required, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/i-918
Forward requests to the following address:
Seattle Police Department
Attn: Legal Unit
610 5th Ave, PO Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124
Email: SPD_LegalUnit_UVisa@seattle.gov
Once the SPD Legal Unit has received your application materials, the SPD Legal Unit will send you correspondence that will 1) confirm that your application materials have been received by the Department and 2) provide you with an estimated response date.
Questions? Contact the SPD Legal Unit at (206) 233-5141
For assistance with U-Visa or T-Visa application process, contact:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project https://www.nwirp.org/get-help/
or Colectiva Legal del Pueblo https://colectivalegal.org/