AR HB1812

Each law enforcement agency must adopt a policy for completing and signing T and U nonimmigrant visa certification forms for crime victims.

Law enforcement officials must complete certification or denial within 14 days if the applicant is in federal immigration removal proceedings or will turn 18 within 30 days; otherwise within 30 days of request.

Agencies must designate a person to facilitate processing, determine if applicants are crime victims and were helpful in investigations or prosecutions, and certify qualified applicants.

Applicants denied certification must receive notice within 7 days and may submit additional evidence for reconsideration, with agencies required to notify them of the reconsideration decision within 7 days.

Certification by Arkansas law enforcement only verifies that a person is a crime victim and does not guarantee T or U nonimmigrant visa status, with final visa decisions made by the U.S. Government.