Immigration & Visa Information for Victims of Sexual & Interpersonal Violence

No.  Under the law, students and staff who are victims or survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence receive the same rights under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments (Title IX) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), regardless of immigration and visa status.  

Information about on-campus medical and counseling resources, as well as available accommodations, may be found at the SJU Division of Student Life

Information about the student conduct process may be found in the student handbook. 

The University will not retaliate against you or treat you differently on the basis of reporting a crime.

Yes. Information about Pennsylvania's criminal definitions of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking may be found in the Annual Security Report.

Specific questions about filing charges may be addressed to Arthur Grover, Office of Public Safety and Security at 610-660-1111 or sjupublicsafety@sju.edu. 

Yes. For victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, there may be other visa options, including U and T Visas. For specifics, please talk to an immigration attorney.

U Visa
For victims of substantial physical or mental abuse as the result of certain criminal activity, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, assault, or other related crimes

• Victim/applicant must be a victim of qualifying criminal activity and likely to be helpful to the investigation and/or prosecution of that criminal activity
• Generally valid for four years

T Visa
For victims of human trafficking

• Must comply with reasonable requests from law enforcement for cooperation in investigation or prosecution of trafficking act(s) (unless unable to cooperate because of physical or psychological trauma), and must be able to demonstrate that the victim/applicant would suffer extreme hardship if removed from the United States
• Generally valid for four years
• For more information, consult an immigration attorney, and visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website

Lexi Morrison, Office of Title IX and Equity Compliance
Campion Student Center, 241E
610-660-1145
Email Lexi

The International Student and Scholar Services Office can provide useful information regarding immigration status.  Note that for questions regarding changes to other visa statuses, or legal options that fall outside of standard F-1 and J-1 student visas, or employer-sponsored work visas, consult a qualified immigration attorney.

F-1 and J-1 status students

• Options for reduced course-load approval due to medical conditions certified by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist
• Options for, and consequences to, withdrawing from your academic program
• Information about returning to the academic program at a later date, if the student chooses to withdraw
• Options and consequences for accompanying spouses
• General information on options for changing visa status. 
• General information on U and T visas. (Referral to a qualified immigration attorney)
• Referral to a qualified attorney

H-1B, O-1, E-3, or TN employee

• Options for a work leave of absence, and consequences to your immigration status
• Options and consequences for accompanying spouses
• General information on options for changing visa status. Referral to a qualified immigration attorney
• General information on U and T visas. (Referral to a qualified immigration attorney)
• Referral to a qualified immigration attorney
• Pending U.S. permanent residents (green card not yet approved)
• Impact of leaving your employment on your pending employer-sponsored permanent resident application;
• Referral to a qualified attorney
   

Immigration lawyers are licensed attorneys who specialize in the field of immigration law. They function as the client’s advocate, and can represent them before immigration agencies, both in immigration court as well as in filing applications for immigration benefits. The lawyer can give general advice and can discuss immigration options. Like all lawyers, immigration lawyers are bound by professional ethical and legal requirements, and keep client discussions confidential.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), offers two sites to help individuals find free or low-cost legal representation:

• USCIS: Find Help in your Community
• USCIS: Find Legal Services Webpage 

Additional Resources:

• The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) provides a listing of attorneys by state who provide immigration services either for free or for little cost.
• The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offers an online Immigration Lawyer Referral Service that can help a student or scholar find an immigration lawyer.
• The American Bar Association also provides information on finding legal services by state.