Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Act

Voices Act
What is the VOICES Act?
The Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Act, also known as the VOICES Act, was effective 
January 1, 2019 after the passing of Public ACT 100-1115. The VOICES Act allows "victims of 
qualifying criminal activity" to request a law enforcement certification form required by federal 
immigration law certifying that a person is a victim of qualifying criminal activity for use in 
applying for a U or T-Visa under the United States Code.

Who is eligible to participate?
Those individuals who are identified as "victims of qualifying criminal activity" as defined in the 
act whom were involved in an incident investigated by the Eureka Police Department.

"Victim of qualifying criminal activity" means a person described in Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(I)(I) 
of Title 8 of the United States Code, in the definition of "victim of a severe form of trafficking" 
in Section 7102(14) of Title 22 of the United States Code, or in any implementing federal 
regulations, supplementary information, guidance, and instructions.

"Qualifying criminal activity" means any activity, regardless of the stage of detection, 
investigation, or prosecution, designated in Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of Title 8 of the United 
States Code, any implementing federal regulations, supplementary information, guidance, and 
instructions.

How does someone apply?
Step 1:

Download the appropriate U or T-Visa law enforcement certification form.

I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status

https://www.uscis.gov/i-821

Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-914.pdf

I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status

https://www.uscis.gov/I-918

Application for U Nonimmigrant Status
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-918supb.pdf
Step 2:

Complete Part 1 of the U-Visa or Part B of the T-Visa. Do not complete any other sections of the 
applications. Incorrectly completed forms may be rejected or may increase response time.

Step 3:

Send the U or T-Visa law enforcement certification form and questionnaire to:

Chief Alex Collinge
Eureka Police Department Attn: VOICES Act
111 W. Court Street Eureka, IL 61530
How long does it take to get a law enforcement certification response?
Response times vary and can take up to 90 business days from the time of the request. The VOICES 
Act has additional response time provisions which can be found on the Illinois General Assembly 
website.

Who do I contact at the Eureka Police Department for more information?
Chief Alex Collinge is the official who will receive, review, and respond to requests for 
completion of the certification form. He can also assist with questions relating to the VOICES Act. 
He can be reached at (309) 467-2113. Mail can be directly addressed to him at 111 W. Court Street, 
Eureka, IL 61530.