End U Visa Abuse Act

This bill proposes to repeal the U nonimmigrant visa program, arguing it is rife with fraud and abuse and no longer serves its intended purpose. Established in 2000, the U visa was designed to encourage cooperation from alien victims of certain crimes by offering deferred removal, work authorization, and a pathway to lawful permanent status. However, the bill asserts that the program has been widely misused, with a significant backlog of over 400,000 applications and no limit on derivative visas for family members.

The legislation cites numerous findings of alleged fraud, including the staging of fake crimes and false allegations to obtain immigration benefits. It highlights instances where law enforcement certifications for U visas are purportedly "rubberstamped" and notes that the process lacks mechanisms for rebuttal by those accused. Examples of fraud include indictments of law enforcement officers for fabricating police reports and individuals conspiring to stage armed robberies for U visa applications.

Furthermore, the bill references reports indicating that a majority of U visa petitioners had no lawful immigration status, and some had committed immigration fraud or reentered the U.S. illegally. A Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report also found the program "not managed effectively and susceptible to fraud," identifying forged certifications. The bill concludes that victimization should not be a basis for immigration benefits, suggesting that existing alternatives like the S visa or humanitarian parole are sufficient for cooperating alien crime victims or witnesses.