U Visa Denials
The Chicago Police Department denied hundreds of immigrant crime victims a path to citizenship through the U visa program, sometimes in ways that appeared to contradict state and federal law. Two sergeants with checkered histories in the department were responsible for most of the denials.
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Impact
A Project with impact
Our December 2022 investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s denial of U visa certifications sparked an investigation by the Illinois attorney general and policy changes within CPD.
Alderpeople call for hearings on Chicago police U visa certification program following Injustice Watch investigation
The investigation revealed that Chicago police denied more U visa certification requests than other large cities, and some of the denials contradicted state and federal guidelines.
Illinois AG investigating Chicago police over handling of U visas
The probe by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul follows Injustice Watch’s investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s denial of hundreds of U visa certification requests from undocumented crime victims.
Promised City Hall hearings on U visa failures never happened
Injustice Watch revealed in December how Chicago police denied hundreds of U visa certifications from undocumented crime victims. More than half of the city council called for accountability and new transparency rules, but the measures never passed.