Santa Ana Overhauls U-Visa Process to Aid Victims

Santa Ana's Police Oversight Commission unanimously approves a major overhaul of the U-Visa certification process for the Santa Ana Police Department, clarifying internal roles, strengthening victim-support protocols, and adding an internal appeal mechanism. The revised Policy 41-30 adopts victim-centered and trauma-informed criteria, ensures clearer documentation of denial reasons, and removes immigration status or prior criminal history as disqualifying factors.