Help for Immigrant Families Affected by the Uvalde, Texas Tragedy

If you or your family were harmed, witnessed the violence, or are grieving a loved one from the Uvalde shooting, there are legal, immigration, and victim-support options—many available regardless of immigration status.

Immediate care & safety

• Medical and crisis counseling are available without proof of status. Hospitals must treat emergencies, and crisis centers can connect you to trauma-informed therapy, grief support, and bilingual services.
• Save everything: hospital/clinic records, incident numbers, photos, texts, and school letters—these support both victim benefits and any immigration relief.

Victim compensation (Texas)

• Texas’s Crime Victims’ Compensation program can help cover funeral costs, counseling, medical bills, and related expenses. Immigration status is not the focus; what matters is cooperation with law enforcement and timely filing. Ask an advocate to help you apply and protect your privacy.

U visa for victims and witnesses

• If you suffered substantial physical or emotional harm and helped (or are willing to help) police/prosecutors, you may qualify for a U visa—which provides work authorization, protection from removal, and a path to a green card.
• Key steps: get the case number, request the Form I-918B law-enforcement certification, gather medical/therapy evidence of harm, and file a complete packet. Many applicants can receive Bona Fide Determination (BFD) deferred action and a work permit while waiting.

Humanitarian options

• Humanitarian parole may be available for close relatives abroad with urgent needs (e.g., funerals, caregiving).
• If you fear return to your country, speak with counsel about asylum/withholding/CAT—deadlines apply, but trauma and grief can be documented for deadline flexibility in certain contexts.

Protection while cooperating

• DHS can exercise prosecutorial discretion or deferred action for victims/witnesses during investigations or prosecutions. Ask your attorney to coordinate with law enforcement and DHS so you can participate safely.

How we help

We secure the police certification, assemble medical and psychological evidence, pursue U visas/work permits, request deferred action, and guide families through Texas compensation, counseling, and long-term status planning—with strict confidentiality and compassionate, bilingual support.