Title
Amending Title 21 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous" to add a Chapter entitled "U-Visa and T-Visa Certifications," providing for a process for Certifying Agencies, including timely responses to requests, confidentiality of requests, guidelines for the grant or denial of a request, and other procedures, all under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
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CHAPTER 21-3***. U-VISA AND T-VISA CERTIFICATIONS
? 21-3***. Definitions.
Applicant. A person applying for a U-Visa or a T-Visa.
Certifying Agency. Any City agency authorized to complete U-Visa or T-Visa Certifications.
Qualifying Criminal Activity. Criminal activity as defined in 8 C.F.R. ? 214.14(a)(14).
U-Visa or T-Visa Certification: A Certification from a City agency in support of an application for a U Visa or T Visa under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (2000), or for the Deferred Action Program under 6 U.S.C. ? 202(5) and 8 U.S.C. ? 1103.
? 21-3***. Duties of Certifying Agencies.
(1) Certifying Agencies have the following duties:
(a) Respond to an Applicant's request for a U-Visa or T-Visa Certification within ninety (90) days.
(b) Develop a protocol for responding to requests for U-Visa or T-Visa Certifications. The protocol must be publicly accessible on the Certifying Agency's website. The protocol should be developed in collaboration with a subject matter expert on certification forms and crimes against immigrants.
(c) Ensure confidentiality of an Applicant's immigration status. A Certifying Agency may not disclose the immigration status of an Applicant to anyone outside the Certifying Agency, except to an Applicant's legal representative, to comply with Federal law, or as authorized by the Applicant.
(d) Complete the U-Visa or T-Visa Certification if it is d...
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