Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2025

The Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2025 would significantly expand protections and flexibility for immigrant crime victims and certain vulnerable groups. Key changes include removing annual caps on U visas and on Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) visas, broadening eligibility pathways for these and related relief, and requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant work authorization to many individuals who have pending or recently filed status applications (including U- and T- visas, VAWA self-petitioners, SIJs, and certain cancellation-of-removal cases). The bill also strengthens protections against detention and deportation while relief is pending or adjudicated, imposes new privacy safeguards on information submitted by victims, and creates reporting requirements on enforcement-related disclosures. Overall, the bill is designed to reduce barriers for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes by ensuring timely work authorization, preventing premature removal, and safeguarding their information, with the aim of improving access to protections and cooperation with law enforcement.