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HB 686

Victims and Witnesses - U Nonimmigrant Status - Certification of Victim Helpfulness

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lorig Charkoudian and 15 co-sponsors

HB 686 authorizes Maryland officials to certify crime victims as helpful to law enforcement for federal U nonimmigrant status eligibility.

Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 686

Legislative bill overview

HB 686 would establish a certification process for crime victims to obtain U nonimmigrant status, a federal visa category for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement. The bill would authorize Maryland state officials to certify that a victim has been helpful to law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, which is a requirement for federal U visa eligibility.

Why is this important

U nonimmigrant status provides temporary legal residency and work authorization to crime victims, making them more likely to cooperate with authorities without fear of deportation. This certification authority at the state level could streamline the process for vulnerable immigrant victims and potentially increase reporting and cooperation in serious crimes, benefiting both victim safety and criminal investigations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Disagreement over which crimes qualify victims for certification and how "helpfulness" to law enforcement should be measured
  • Prosecutorial discretion: Concerns about whether certification decisions should rest with law enforcement/prosecutors versus victim advocates, and potential for abuse or inconsistent application
  • Resource allocation: Questions about staffing and funding requirements for the state to implement and manage a certification program
  • Federal-state coordination: Clarification needed on how Maryland's certification process interfaces with existing federal USCIS procedures for U visa adjudication

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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