End U Visa Abuse Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8628
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-18T20:34:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8628: End U Visa Abuse Act
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to eliminate the U visa program under U.S. immigration law. It argues that the program, originally intended to encourage crime victims who are foreign nationals to cooperate with law enforcement, has instead led to widespread fraud, abuse, and incentives for illegal immigration. The legislation seeks to remove this pathway to legal status and work authorization for such individuals.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Short Title: The Act is named the "End U Visa Abuse Act."
- Findings: The bill lists 17 specific observations, including:
- The program was created in 2000 with a yearly cap of 10,000 visas, but now has over 400,000 pending applications.
- Issues such as rubber-stamped certifications by law enforcement, especially in certain jurisdictions, and lack of tracking for crimes solved.
- Examples of fraud schemes involving staged crimes, fake police reports, and bribery.
- Statistics showing high rates of prior illegal status among applicants and instances of immigration fraud among recipients.
- Recommendations for using alternative options like S visas or humanitarian parole instead.
- Repeal and Amendments: The core action repeals the U visa category and updates related sections of immigration law to remove references to it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Repeals the U visa provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act, which previously allowed certain crime victims who are foreign nationals to obtain temporary status, work permits, and a potential route to permanent residency.
- Makes conforming changes across multiple sections of the Act, such as:
- Removing references in rules about petitions, inadmissibility waivers, and adjustments to status.
- Eliminating specific subsections and paragraphs that supported U visa processing and benefits for derivatives (family members).
- These changes would end the program entirely, including any waitlists or pending benefits tied to it.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would no longer process U visa applications, certifications, or related benefits, potentially reducing administrative workload but requiring updates to systems and procedures. Law enforcement agencies might face changes in how they handle victim certifications.
- On Citizens: American citizens and legal residents could see shifts in crime reporting dynamics, as non-citizen victims might have fewer incentives to come forward without this immigration benefit.
- On International Relations: The repeal might affect foreign nationals who are victims of crimes in the U.S., limiting options for those seeking protection or cooperation-based relief, though the bill notes alternatives like parole remain available on a case-by-case basis.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foreign nationals who are crime victims or alleged victims applying for U visas, along with their family members seeking derivative benefits.
- Law enforcement agencies and officials responsible for certifying crimes.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Homeland Security, which manage the program.
- Individuals involved in or accused in alleged fraud schemes related to the visas.
- Broader groups including illegal immigrants seeking to remain in the U.S. and U.S. citizens impacted by immigration enforcement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The repeal would alter existing immigration frameworks by removing a specific nonimmigrant category, potentially raising questions about ongoing cases or benefits already granted.
- It emphasizes alternatives like S visas for witnesses or discretionary parole, which could shift how humanitarian considerations are handled in immigration matters.
- Politically, the findings highlight concerns over fraud in sanctuary areas and ex parte processes, which might influence debates on immigration enforcement and victim protections.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- End U Visa Abuse Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (8 pages)