H.R. 4817 removes barriers for immigrant crime victims and trafficking survivors seeking protection under federal law. The bill eliminates annual caps on U visas (for crime victims) and special immigrant juvenile visas, allows the Department of Homeland Security to grant work authorization within 180 days of application (rather than waiting for final approval), and prohibits deportation of victims with pending or approved applications until their cases are fully decided. The legislation also prevents immigration officials from detaining victims with pending victim-based applications absent clear and convincing evidence of flight risk or danger, and strengthens confidentiality protections by restricting how DHS and DOJ can use information from victim applications. The bill recognizes that deportation threats are used to silence abuse victims and that work authorization helps survivors achieve self-sufficiency and escape exploitation. No specific funding or implementation timeline is provided beyond the 180-day work authorization provision.
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