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related to denials and approvals, clearer guidelines for determining helpfulness, and <br />process for appealing denials including data and language, number of cases <br />referred to DA's office, and accessibility and transparency of U-Visa resources on <br />the City website. <br />Sandra De Anda and Faby Jacome stated there are no immigration attorneys or <br />experts assisting with U-Visa applications, and recommended establishing a <br />Sanctuary Board. <br />Commissioner Said requested clarification regarding the requirement for referring <br />cases to different jurisdictions, why referral data from 2017-2023 is difficult to obtain, <br />what the standard turnaround time is for U-Visa follow-ups, the number of staff <br />involved in processing U-Visas, and whether training has been provided for making <br />determinations on applications. She requested an analyst be assigned to track <br />applications, referrals, and denials, suggested the appellant review process be <br />conducted by a different individual rather than the person who is processing the <br />application within SAPD, more accessibility on City's website such as language <br />options, recommended providing accurate contact information to applicants, and <br />voiced concern regarding discretion in helpfulness determination. <br />Commander Jorge Lopez stated there is no requirement to refer cases and cases <br />sometimes are deferred to the DA's office when there is an ongoing prosecution <br />involving the victim and there is no defined turnaround time requirement. He <br />confirmed there is a unit dedicated for overseeing U-Visas with a crime analyst <br />responsible for inputting all received information, and a sergeant who reviews and <br />assigns cases to detectives for further review. <br />Deputy Chief Roland Andrade spoke regarding data from 2017, the appeals <br />process, and clarified the U-Visas applications process. <br />Commissioner Mejia requested clarification on "helpfulness" and "usefulness." She <br />suggested the following the revisions to the U-Visa policy: in Section 4130.3.1, <br />adding language to include "Have been the victim, the bystander, or indirect'; in <br />Section 4130,3.3, changing the title from "Victim's Responsibility to be Helpful" to <br />"Guidance on Helpfulness" or "Definition on Helpfulness"; Section 4130.4, removing <br />the language "such as the Department, verifying the applicant is the victim of <br />qualifying criminal activity and has been helpful, is being helpful or is likely to be <br />helpful to the investigation..." to avoid redundancy; and Section 4130.5, providing <br />further explanation as to why applications are sent over to the DA's office. <br />Commissioner Vega asked for information regarding the process for handling a <br />victim's complaint against SAPD and whether such a cose could be handled by PD <br />or DA. <br />Deputy Chief Andrade clarified the investigating entity is responsible for the <br />investigation, therefore, if a victim alleges a crime involving SAPD, the responsibility <br />would fall on SAPD. <br />Commissioner Perea asked whether the commission would be an appropriate entity <br />to conduct the investigation in cases where SAPD is the alleged perpetrator, <br />specifically for certifying a U-Visa for the victim. <br />POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 4 AUGUST 14, 2025 <br />