U Visa Attorney for Crime Victims in San Antonio, Texas
Victims of Crime
The U Visa: Protection for Victims of Crime Who Help Law Enforcement
The U visa was created for a simple reason: crime victims should be able to come forward and help the police without fearing deportation. It offers protection, work authorization, and a path to a green card for people who suffered substantial harm from a qualifying crime and cooperated with the investigation or prosecution. For survivors living in the shadows, it can be life changing.
At Lozano Law Firm, U visa cases are handled with discretion and under the direction of Alfredo Lozano, Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Our bilingual team serves survivors across San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo, and everything you share in a free, confidential consultation stays private.
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How the U Visa Works
The U visa has specific requirements, and the evidence has to be assembled with care. We help survivors meet each element.
A Qualifying Crime and Substantial Harm
The U visa covers victims of certain crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, and others, who suffered substantial physical or mental harm. We help document that harm through records, evaluations, and the survivor's own account.
Helpfulness and the Certification
A U visa requires a certification from a law enforcement agency, prosecutor, judge, or other authority confirming that you were, are, or are likely to be helpful in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the crime. Obtaining this certification is a critical step, and we help request it.
The Annual Cap and the Waitlist
Congress limits the number of U visas each year, which has created a long wait. While a case is pending, USCIS can make a bona fide determination that provides work authorization and protection before the visa itself is granted, which is a meaningful bridge for survivors.
Family Members
Certain family members can be included as derivatives, depending on your age and their relationship to you. We plan for the whole family so no one is left unprotected.
Standing With Crime Victims in Our Community
Many of the crime victims we represent come to us frightened and unsure whether coming forward will put them at risk. We take the time to explain how the process protects them, and we work directly with police departments and prosecutors across South Texas to obtain the certification these cases require. Because the wait can stretch for years, we stay engaged for the long term, helping clients keep their status current and move forward when they become eligible for more. Our bilingual team makes sure nothing is lost in translation during a difficult and often frightening time.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
What to Expect and the Path to a Green Card
We begin with a private conversation, at your pace, and nothing is filed until you are ready. We then work to obtain the law enforcement certification and to assemble the evidence of the crime, the harm, and your cooperation into a strong petition.
Because of the annual cap, U visa cases take time, but the bona fide determination process can provide work authorization and protection while you wait. After holding U status for three years and meeting the requirements, you can generally apply for a green card through adjustment of status. We stay with survivors through that final step.
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Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Fewer than five percent of Texas immigration attorneys are Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds that distinction, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Confidential U Visa Help in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo
Survivors come to us from across South and West Texas, and we meet them where they are, in English or Spanish. We work with local police departments and prosecutors on certifications and with the USCIS units that handle these cases. Our offices give survivors a safe, professional place to begin, and we can also start a case remotely when that is safer. Every consultation is free and confidential.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
U Visa FAQs
Who qualifies for a U visa?
A person who was the victim of a qualifying crime, suffered substantial physical or mental harm, and has been, is, or is likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the case. You also need a certification from an agency or official confirming that helpfulness.
What crimes qualify for a U visa?
The law lists qualifying crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, felonious assault, and others, as well as attempts and related offenses. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, we can review it confidentially.
Do I have to report the crime myself?
You do not necessarily have to be the person who first reported it, but you do need a certification confirming that you were helpful to law enforcement. That certification usually comes from a police department or prosecutor, and we help you request it.
Can I work while my U visa is pending?
Often, yes. Because of the annual cap and long waits, USCIS can make a bona fide determination that provides work authorization and protection before the visa itself is approved. Once U status is granted, work authorization comes with it.
Does the U visa lead to a green card?
Yes. After holding U status for three years and meeting the requirements, including not unreasonably refusing to help law enforcement, you can generally apply for lawful permanent residence. We handle that final adjustment of status step as well.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
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Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
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