Benefits for Immigrant Survivors of Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Other Serious Crimes in California

Feb 1, 2024 This resource reviews the two categories of immigrants covered by California's SB 1569 (trafficking survivors and U visa applicants/holders), the benefits they may receive, and what they need to show in order to get these benefits. Originally published in May 2017.

A California law, SB 1569, provides that immigrant survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes may receive state and local benefits under the same rules that apply to refugees. This resource reviews the two categories of immigrants covered by this law (trafficking survivors and U visa applicants/holders), the benefits they may receive, and what they need to show in order to get these benefits.

Its four main sections include the following: (1) Trafficking Survivors; (2) Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Serious Crimes (U Visa Applicants/Holders); (3) Information for All Applicants; and (4) Table: California Benefits Eligibility and Time Limits.

This resource does not address benefits eligibility for immigrants who have filed a family-based visa petition or a self-petition for a visa under the Violence Against Women Act. See “Information for All Applicants” (page 11) for links to information about these immigrants.

*For footnotes and bibliography, please reference the PDF version of this resource below.

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