The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced an updated procedure targeting individuals protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and certain crime or trafficking victims. The agency published this info-alert to their ‘Newsroom’ section on February 20th, 2021.
The critical update from USCIS revolves around customer service and safe address improvements. The USCIS emphasizes that Victims of Human Trafficking and Specified Criminal Activity (T nonimmigrant status), Victims of Qualifying Criminal Activity (U nonimmigrant status), and Self-Petitioning Battered Spouse, Children, and Parents (VAWA) can now directly contact USCIS. Instead of using general customer service phone lines, they can now reach out to a specified email address, hotline, or Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. This adjustment ensures that these specific groups receive more direct, responsive, and sensitive handling of their inquiries.
One primary concern for these protected parties is the need to maintain a safe address. With USCIS’s new procedures, individuals under the VAWA and certain crime or trafficking victims can safely request to change their addresses. They can do this without having the fear that their new address might accidentally be disclosed. Their information will be updated in immigration records without notifying the alleged perpetrator, thereby maintaining their safety.
Earlier, individuals were required to call the USCIS Contact Center to update their addresses. But with the new procedures, they can simply email USCIS at a dedicated email – LEP@uscis.dhs.gov. This dedicated email route prevents the likelihood of accidental address sharing, providing increased safety to the vulnerable.
USCIS also explained the required steps to follow for individuals requesting to update their address of record. They are to include their full name, new address, date of birth, and Alien Registration Number (if available) in their email to LEP@uscis.dhs.gov. USCIS assures those contacting them that they are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information and ensuring the safety of victims.
The revised action by USCIS is seen as an essential proactive step to provide more comprehensive, sensitive, and secure processes to protect victims of human trafficking, crime, and abuse; and to aid the vulnerable in navigating their immigration journey safely and discretely.
This summary article is based on the original published on the official USCIS website. For the complete and original information, individuals are recommended to visit the direct USCIS Newsroom page [here](https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-customer-service-and-safe-address-procedures-for-individuals-protected-under).
