Good news from the 9th Circuit Court expanding U visa eligibility for spouses of the primary U visa applicant

Dec 11, 2020 | Firm News | Blog

On December 3, 2020, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an excellent decision that will increase access to U visas for spouses of applicant’s with pending applications. Previously, a crime victim had to include their spouse at the time of applying for the U visa, but yesterday’s decision holds that an applicant can file a petition to include their spouse as a derivative in their case even after their application has been filed as long as the principal applicant marries their spouse before receiving approval of their U visa.

If you got married after filing your application for U nonimmigrant status, please contact us to find out if you can add your spouse as a derivative in your case based on this new decision.

https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2020/12/03/18-35072.pdf

You’re in the right place if you are thinking about reaching out for help, want to understand your options, or just want to know more about working with us. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when you begin your journey with Stouffer Law.

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When you first contact us, whether by phone, email, or through our website form, you will be greeted by our compassionate and caring intake team.

Their role is to listen, understand your situation, and determine whether your case falls within our areas of expertise.

If your matter is something we can assist with, our intake team will guide you toward the next step: scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys. Consultations are primarily available via video conference with some availability for in-person meetings at our Berkeley, California office.

If we are not the right fit for your case, we will still do our best to point you in the right direction by offering referrals to other offices or organizations that may be able to help. Our goal is always to support you, even if it means connecting you elsewhere.

2. In-Depth Consultation With an Experienced Immigration Attorney

Once your consultation is scheduled, our intake team will send you a confirmation email with a Zoom link (or in-person details if you prefer to meet in our Berkeley office).

To make sure we can provide you with the most personalized legal advice, you will complete a short online questionnaire and upload relevant documents before the meeting. This preparation allows your attorney to carefully review your situation ahead of time, so your consultation can focus on clear guidance, tailored recommendations, and answering your most pressing questions.

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3. Working With Our Team on Your Immigration Matter

If you decide to move forward with us, we will send your contract electronically for review and signature, along with instructions for submitting your deposit.

Once these steps are completed, your case officially begins.

You will be paired with both a lead attorney and lead paralegal, but you will also have the full support of the entire Stouffer Law team. This includes attorneys with decades of experience in immigration, including a Certified Specialist in Immigration Law with the California State Bar, experienced immigration paralegals, and dedicated support staff.

We work collaboratively, which means you always have a team behind you, responding whenever you have questions or new circumstances you want to discuss.

Our hands-on approach and deep engagement in the broader immigration community keep us at the forefront of changes in immigration law and policy, allowing us to navigate any shifts in your case with confidence and care.

As soon as you hire us, we will walk you through a thorough onboarding process. This will help you understand how we communicate, what steps to expect, and how we work efficiently and effectively on your behalf. From the first day to the last when we celebrate together, we will be with you at every stage of the journey.