Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check processing times for my case pending with USCIS?
Where can I track the status of my case pending with USCIS?
HOW DO I CONTACT THE NATIONAL VISA CENTER (NVC)?
WHERE CAN I CHECK IF MY PRIORITY DATE IS CURRENT?
How do I obtain my immigration record?
There are several agencies that collect immigration data, such as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Executive Office of Immigration Relations (EOIR). There is also a separate biometric database that has information based on your unique Fingerprint Identification Number (FIN).
To request your records, you must submit a “FOIA” (Freedom of Information Act) request. Because there are several databases and agencies that collect your immigration information, it is advisable to obtain assistance from an immigration attorney to request your records and also advise you on the implications of your immigration record.
How do I request a copy of my criminal record?
If you were charged or convicted of a crime, then you must request a copy of your criminal record from the criminal court where the case was brought. If it was for a state crime, then request the record from the criminal court in the county and state where the arrest, charge, or conviction occurred. If it was a federal crime, then you will need to request the record from the district court where the charges were brought.
For Sacramento, you can request a copy of your record in person in the Records Department, on the First Floor of the Sacramento Superior Court at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
I was the victim of a crime. Do I qualify for a U Visa?
Many victims of crimes qualify to apply for a U Visa. Typical qualifying crimes are domestic violence, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and child abuse. However, there are many other crimes that qualify. You should obtain a copy of the police report to have an attorney review the facts of the case and determine if the crime would possibly make you eligible for a U Visa.
My child, parent, or sibling was the victim of a crime. Do I qualify for a U Visa?
Principal applicants (over 21 years old) can include their children under 21 years old as derivatives in their U Visa case.
Principal applicants (under 21 years old) can include their siblings (under 18 years old) and their parents as derives in their U Visa case.
Additionally, you may qualify as an “indirect victim” of the crime if your are the parent of a minor who was the victim of a crime, or if you are the sibling of a child under the age of 18 years old (at the time of the crime).
How do I obtain a copy of a police report where I was the victim of a crime?
As a victim, you are entitled to a copy of the police report for the crime committed against you. Typically, the easiest way to obtain a copy of the police report is to go in person to the police department with jurisdiction over your case. The police will likely want to know the date of the crime, address of the crime, and the perpetrator’s information. However, the report can often be found with your name and date of birth.