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Arkansas senator seeks DHS probe into U visa misuse
He cited alleged fraud, processing delays, and a backlog of over 400,000 applications, raising concerns about oversight and enforcement gaps in the program.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 29, Apr 2026
- 13:33 EDT
- 73
Tom Cotton / X/ Tom Cotton
Arkansas state Senator Tom Cotton has asked the Department of Homeland Security to investigate what he described as widespread misuse of the U visa program, which provides temporary legal status to victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.
In an April 27 letter to Markwayne Mullin, Cotton said the program “appears to operate as a de facto amnesty program for hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens.”
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The republican leader cited cases involving alleged fraudulent claims and questioned whether current certification processes adequately verify applicants’ eligibility.
“Criminal organizations have reportedly staged fake crimes so fraudsters can qualify for U visas,” Cotton wrote, adding that law enforcement agencies are required to presume U visa claims valid and have limited discretion in reviewing them.
Cotton also pointed to a backlog of more than 400,000 petitions and raised concerns about delays in processing. He said some applicants had prior deportation proceedings and, in some cases, criminal records, which he argued could undermine the program’s original purpose of aiding law enforcement.
The senator asked DHS to detail potential loopholes in the certification process, including whether sufficient background checks are conducted before benefits are granted, and what steps are being taken to reduce the backlog.
In a post on X, Cotton said, “For years, illegal aliens have exploited the U visa program to unfairly gain permanent legal status. I’m asking @SecMullinDHS to investigate.”
Created by Congress in 2000, the U visa program allows victims of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking to remain in the United States temporarily if they assist law enforcement, with a pathway to permanent residency after several years.
The program is capped at 10,000 principal visas annually, contributing to long processing delays.
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