Bill > HR4817

This bill, called the "Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2025," aims to provide additional protections and support for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. The bill eliminates annual numerical limitations on U visas and Special Immigrant Juvenile visas, ensuring that more victims can access these protective immigration statuses. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to grant work authorization within 180 days to immigrants with pending applications for U visas, T visas, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile status, and cancellation of removal. The bill also mandates a stay of removal for individuals with pending or approved victim-based immigration applications, creating a presumption that such immigrants should be released from detention unless there is clear and convincing evidence they pose a threat. Additionally, the bill strengthens privacy protections by restricting the use and disclosure of personal information provided in these immigration applications, preventing government agencies from using such information for purposes other than processing the application. The legislation recognizes that threats of deportation can be a powerful tool used by abusers to control and silence immigrant victims, and seeks to remove barriers that discourage victims from seeking help and accessing justice.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4817/all-info