Catherwood LibraryILR School

The United States Department of Labor has gained the authority to issue 'U-Visas' to immigrant workers. U-Visas are special visas obtained for victims of crimes in the workplace, so that they may remain in the country. Up until now, only the police were authorized to request and hand out u-visas. To qualify, an immigrant workers has to show that they were the victim of a crime such as sexual assault, or being forced to work without or with less than minimum wage pay. Officials investigating workplace violations will also be able to issue u-visas in the cases they are investigating. Immigrant and migrant worker advocates lauded the new authority, saying that this will make it significantly easier for immigrants to work with authorities without fear, and for their full and proper remuneration.