DURATION OF T AND U VISAS.

SEC. 821. DURATION OF T AND U VISAS. (a) T Visas.—Section 214(o) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(o)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(7)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an alien who is issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(T) may be granted such status for a period of not more than 4 years. “(B) An alien who is issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(T) may extend the period of such status beyond the period described in subparagraph (A) if a Federal, State, or local law enforcement official, prosecutor, judge, or other authority investigating or prosecuting activity relating to human trafficking or certifies that the presence of the alien in the United States is necessary to assist in the investigation or prosecution of such activity.”. (b) U Visas.—Section 214(p) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(p)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(6) Duration of status.—The authorized period of status of an alien as a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(U) shall be for a period of not more than 4 years, but shall be extended upon certification from a Federal, State, or local law enforcement official, prosecutor, judge, or other Federal, State, or local authority investigating or prosecuting criminal activity described in section 101(a)(15)(U)(iii) that the alien’s presence in the United States is required to assist in the investigation or prosecution of such criminal activity.”. (c) Permitting Change of Nonimmigrant Status to T and U Nonimmigrant Status.—(1) In general.—Section 248 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1258) is amended—(A) by striking “The Attorney General” and inserting “(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security”; (B) by inserting “(subject to subsection (b))” after “except”; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “(b) The exceptions specified in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) shall not apply to a change of nonimmigrant classification to that of a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (T) or (U) of section 101(a)(15).”. (2) Conforming amendment.—Section 214(l)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(l)(2)(A)) is amended by striking “248(2)” and inserting “248(a)(2)”.