How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-918 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Form I-918, the Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, is the official application that crime victims file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to request a U visa, which gives lawful status, work authorization, and a path to a green card to certain victims who help law enforcement. You fill it out by completing nine parts of the petition, attaching a signed Supplement B law enforcement certification, gathering evidence of the qualifying crime and your helpfulness, and mailing the package to the USCIS Vermont Service Center.

Filing the wrong way costs you years. The Congressional cap of 10,000 U visas per year creates a backlog that, as of 2026, stretches more than five years for most petitioners, so a single mistake on Form I-918 can push your case to the back of the line and delay your work permit, your safety, and your family’s reunification.

• 📝 How to complete every line of Form I-918, Supplement A, and Supplement B without triggering a Request for Evidence
• 🛡️ Which qualifying crimes under INA §101(a)(15)(U) trigger eligibility and how to prove “substantial harm”
• 👮 How to ask a police officer, prosecutor, judge, or agency head to sign your Supplement B certification
• 💼 How to use the Bona Fide Determination process to get a work permit while you wait in the backlog
• 👨‍👩‍👧 How to add a spouse, child, parent, or sibling as a derivative through Form I-918 Supplement A

What Form I-918 Is and Why It Exists

Form I-918 is the federal petition that turns a crime victim into a U nonimmigrant. Congress created the U visa in the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 to fix a real problem: undocumented victims of serious crime were too afraid to call the police, and criminals were exploiting that silence. The U visa gives victims a reason to come forward, because helping law enforcement is the price of admission for the visa.

The petition lives inside a larger statutory and regulatory frame. 8 CFR §214.14 sets the rules for who qualifies, what evidence USCIS wants, and how the agency reviews each petition. The USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 3, Part C tells officers how to apply those rules in real cases, and you should read it before you file.

The visa lasts four years, and after three years of continuous physical presence in U status, you can file Form I-485 to adjust to a green card. The plain-English version is simple: if a serious crime hurt you, and you helped the police, this form is your ticket to legal status.

The consequence of not filing correctly is severe. USCIS will deny a petition that lacks a valid Supplement B, because without certification you cannot prove helpfulness, and helpfulness is a statutory requirement. A common misconception is that filing alone protects you from deportation, but you only get deferred action or parole after USCIS issues a Bona Fide Determination, which can take 18 months or more.

The Statutory Building Blocks

The U visa stands on three statutes. INA §101(a)(15)(U) defines who is a U nonimmigrant. INA §214(p) sets the certification, cap, and adjustment rules. INA §245(m) lets U nonimmigrants become lawful permanent residents.

These three sections work together. Section 101 opens the door, section 214 sets the conditions for walking through it, and section 245 lets you stay forever. Skipping any one of them in your petition narrative weakens your case, because adjudicators read the statute, not your assumptions about it.

The consequence of ignoring the statute is denial. A real-world example: a petitioner named Ana wrote a personal statement that described her assault but never linked it to a qualifying crime listed in section 101(a)(15)(U)(iii), and the officer issued a Request for Evidence asking her to identify the qualifying crime. A common misconception is that any crime qualifies, but the list is closed and specific.

Who Qualifies for U Nonimmigrant Status

Four eligibility prongs decide every U visa case, and Form I-918 asks about each one. You must be the victim of a qualifying criminal activity, you must have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse, you must possess credible information about the crime, and you must have been, be, or be likely to be helpful to law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, or other certifying officials.

The crime must have violated U.S. law or occurred in the United States, including Indian country and military bases abroad. Form I-918 Supplement B is the only document that proves the helpfulness prong, and a certifying agency must sign it within six months before you file the principal petition.

The consequence of missing one prong is a denial that cannot be appealed in federal court, only re-filed. The plain-English version: you must check every box, every time. A common misconception is that calling 911 is enough, but ongoing cooperation matters; if you refuse a reasonable request to testify, the agency can withdraw certification.

The List of Qualifying Crimes

The statute lists the qualifying activities, and Congress added “stalking” and “fraud in foreign labor contracting” through later amendments. The full list includes rape, torture, trafficking, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, prostitution, sexual exploitation, stalking, female genital mutilation, being held hostage, peonage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, false imprisonment, blackmail, extortion, manslaughter, murder, felonious assault, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, perjury, fraud in foreign labor contracting, and any similar activity, plus attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of those crimes.

The “any similar activity” catchall matters. The USCIS Policy Manual tells officers to look at the nature and elements of the state crime, not just its label, so a state crime called “battery” can qualify as felonious assault if the elements match.

The consequence of misnaming the crime is delay, not always denial. A real-world example: Maria reported “harassment” in Texas, but the elements matched stalking, so her attorney argued the catchall and won. A common misconception is that misdemeanors never qualify, but a misdemeanor can qualify if its elements match a listed crime.

Substantial Physical or Mental Abuse

Substantial abuse is judged on a totality-of-the-circumstances test under 8 CFR §214.14(b)(1). Officers look at the nature of the injury, the severity of the perpetrator’s conduct, the severity of the harm suffered, the duration of the infliction of harm, and any permanent or serious harm to appearance, health, or physical or mental soundness.

You prove abuse with medical records, therapy notes, photographs, sworn declarations from family or friends, and your own personal statement. A short emergency room visit can be enough if the doctor’s notes are vivid, but a long therapy record is stronger.

The consequence of weak abuse evidence is a Request for Evidence that asks for a psychological evaluation. A real-world example: a petitioner named Daniel filed only a police report, and USCIS asked for therapy records, which delayed his case ten months. A common misconception is that physical injury is required, but mental abuse alone is enough when documented.

Form I-918 Filing Fees in 2026

Form I-918 has no filing fee, and neither does Supplement A or Supplement B, under 8 CFR §103.7(b)(1)(i)(UU). USCIS waived the fees in 2007 because Congress designed the visa for crime victims who often cannot afford counsel, let alone fees.

Related forms, however, can carry fees. Form I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant) usually costs $930 in 2026, but U petitioners can request a fee waiver on Form I-912 and almost always receive it. Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) is free for U principal petitioners and derivatives because the work permit comes automatically with U status.

The consequence of paying a fee you do not owe is a refund, not a denial, but the wait can be six months. A common misconception is that biometrics cost extra, but biometrics are also free for I-918 filers, and USCIS schedules the appointment automatically after receipt.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form I-918

The petition has nine parts. Each part collects a specific category of information, and each line has a consequence if you leave it blank or guess. Download the latest edition from the Form I-918 page on uscis.gov and check the edition date in the lower-left corner before you start, because USCIS rejects old editions.

Use black ink or type the form. Sign by hand in dark ink. Do not staple. Use paper clips. Keep a complete copy for yourself, including the front and back of every check, every signature page, and every exhibit.

The consequence of using an old edition is rejection at the mailroom, which costs you the priority date and the place in line. A real-world example: an attorney named Priya filed an outdated edition in 2025 and lost three months while she re-filed. A common misconception is that USCIS will accept old editions during a “grace period,” but no grace period exists.

Part 1: Information About You

Part 1 asks for your full legal name, other names used, USCIS Online Account Number if you have one, mailing address, physical address, gender, date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, A-Number, Social Security Number, and date of last entry into the United States. Use the name on your passport unless you have a court-ordered name change.

If you have ever used another name, list every alias, including maiden names, married names, and nicknames the perpetrator used. Officers cross-check aliases against criminal databases, and an undisclosed alias can look like fraud.

The consequence of leaving the A-Number blank when you have one is delay, because USCIS must look it up. A common misconception is that you should hide an old removal order; instead, disclose it and address it in your personal statement and Form I-192.

Part 2: Additional Information About You

Part 2 asks if you have ever been in immigration proceedings, ever been arrested or convicted, ever been in the U.S. military, and whether you are currently in removal, deportation, exclusion, or rescission proceedings. Answer every question with a “Yes” or “No,” because blank answers trigger a Request for Evidence.

If you answer “Yes” to any criminal or immigration history question, attach a separate sheet that explains the date, place, charge, disposition, and sentence. Attach certified court records for every arrest, even if the case was dismissed.

The consequence of hiding an arrest is denial for fraud, even if the underlying charge would have been forgivable. A real-world example: a petitioner named Carlos hid a 2018 DUI, USCIS found it through fingerprints, and the officer denied for misrepresentation under INA §212(a)(6)(C)(i).

Part 3: Processing Information

Part 3 asks where you want USCIS to send the approval notice, where you will apply for the visa if you are abroad, and whether you are inadmissible. If you are inadmissible under any ground, file Form I-192 at the same time, and check “Yes” to the inadmissibility question on Form I-918.

If you are abroad, list the U.S. consulate where you will apply. If you are inside the United States, USCIS will issue your status without consular processing.

The consequence of not filing I-192 when you need it is automatic denial of I-918. A common misconception is that minor inadmissibility issues will be ignored, but officers must apply every ground, and the waiver standard for U petitioners is generous, so you should always file the waiver if any ground applies.

Part 4: Information About the Criminal Activity

Part 4 mirrors Supplement B. List the qualifying criminal activity, the date, the place, and the law enforcement agency that investigated. Match the language on Supplement B exactly, because mismatches trigger Requests for Evidence.

If multiple crimes occurred, list all of them and identify the primary qualifying activity. The primary activity drives the analysis, but secondary activities strengthen the substantial-abuse argument.

The consequence of vague answers is delay. A real-world example: a petitioner named Fatima wrote “assault” in Part 4 but Supplement B said “felonious assault,” and the officer issued an RFE asking for clarification, which cost her four months.

Part 5: Additional Information

Part 5 asks for a personal statement describing the qualifying criminal activity. Write the statement in the first person, in chronological order, with concrete sensory details. Sign and date the statement under penalty of perjury.

A strong statement runs three to ten pages. Cover the facts, the harm, the helpfulness, and any ongoing fear. Do not exaggerate, because officers compare your statement to Supplement B and to the police report.

The consequence of a thin statement is an RFE for more detail. A common misconception is that the statement must be short; in fact, detail wins.

Part 6: Attestation, Release, and Signature

Part 6 is where you sign. Sign in dark ink, in the box, on the date you submit. An unsigned petition is rejected at the mailroom under 8 CFR §103.2(a)(7).

If a parent signs for a child under 14, the parent prints “Parent of [child’s name]” next to the signature. If a guardian signs, attach the guardianship order.

The consequence of an unsigned form is rejection and loss of priority date. A real-world example: an advocate named Lisa forgot to sign Part 6, the package was rejected, and her client lost her place in line by six weeks.

Parts 7, 8, and 9: Interpreter, Preparer, and Additional Information

Part 7 is for the interpreter, if any. Part 8 is for the preparer, if someone other than you filled out the form. Part 9 is for any answer that did not fit on the main form.

If an attorney prepares the form, the attorney must also file Form G-28. Without G-28, USCIS will not communicate with the attorney.

The consequence of missing G-28 is that you, not your attorney, will receive every notice. A common misconception is that an email to USCIS is enough, but only G-28 grants formal representation.

Supplement A: Adding Family Members

Form I-918 Supplement A petitions for derivative U status for qualifying family members. If you are under 21, you can include your spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings under 18. If you are 21 or older, you can include only your spouse and children.

You can file Supplement A with the principal petition or later, while the principal petition is pending or after approval. File a separate Supplement A for each family member, and attach proof of the relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

The consequence of late filing is that an aging-out child can lose eligibility, although the Child Status Protection Act freezes age in some cases. A real-world example: a petitioner named Joseph filed Supplement A for his 17-year-old sister three months before she turned 18 and locked in her eligibility.

When to File Supplement A

File Supplement A as soon as you can prove the relationship and the family member’s identity. Filing early triggers the Bona Fide Determination process for the family member too, which means earlier work authorization and deferred action.

If the family member is abroad, the file goes to the National Visa Center after approval, and the family member then attends a consular interview. If the family member is inside the United States, USCIS issues status directly.

The consequence of waiting is risk. A common misconception is that you must wait for principal approval, but you can file Supplement A at any time while the principal petition is alive.

Supplement B: The Law Enforcement Certification

Form I-918 Supplement B is the heart of the petition. A certifying official from a federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local law enforcement agency, prosecutor’s office, judge, child protective services, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor, or any other authority that detects, investigates, prosecutes, convicts, or sentences criminal activity must sign Supplement B in the prior six months.

The official must be the head of the agency or a supervisor specifically designated in writing to sign certifications. The certification confirms the qualifying crime, the petitioner’s victimization, and the petitioner’s helpfulness.

The consequence of an expired Supplement B is rejection. A real-world example: a petitioner named Ahmed filed Supplement B that was eight months old, and USCIS issued an RFE for a fresh certification, which delayed his case five months.

How to Ask for Certification

Send a written request to the certifying agency that identifies the case number, the date of the crime, and the way you helped. Attach a copy of the police report and a draft Supplement B with Part 1 already filled out.

Many states have laws that require agencies to respond within a set time. California Penal Code §679.10 requires certifying agencies to respond within 90 days, and 30 days if the petitioner is in removal proceedings. The Illinois VOICES Act sets a 90-day deadline. New York follows internal protocols issued by the New York State Office of Victim Services.

The consequence of agency refusal is not the end. A common misconception is that you can sue an agency to certify, but 8 CFR §214.14(c)(2)(i) makes certification discretionary, so federal court will not order it; you must find another certifier or rely on state mandamus law.

Three Common U Visa Scenarios

Real cases turn on facts. The three patterns below show how Form I-918 plays out for the most common petitioners. Each scenario uses a 2026 timeline and current Bona Fide Determination practices.

Scenario 1: Domestic Violence Survivor

Petitioner Action	USCIS Outcome
Maria calls 911 after her husband beats her in Los Angeles, gives a recorded statement, and seeks a restraining order	LAPD opens a felonious-assault case and treats Maria as a cooperating victim
Maria’s attorney requests Supplement B from the LAPD U-Visa Unit under California Penal Code §679.10	LAPD signs Supplement B within 90 days, identifying felonious assault and domestic violence
Maria files Form I-918, Supplement B, personal statement, medical records, and Form I-192 for an unlawful entry waiver	USCIS receives the petition, issues a receipt notice, schedules biometrics, and starts the Bona Fide Determination review
USCIS issues a Bona Fide Determination 14 months later and grants deferred action plus an EAD for four years	Maria works legally, renews the EAD as needed, and waits for full U status, after which she can file Form I-485

Scenario 2: Trafficking Victim and Witness

Petitioner Action	USCIS Outcome
Sofia escapes a labor-trafficking operation in Houston and reports it to the FBI	FBI opens a trafficking investigation and certifies Supplement B for trafficking and involuntary servitude
Sofia files Form I-918, Supplement B, and a detailed personal statement that describes the trafficking	USCIS accepts the petition, but Sofia’s attorney also files Form I-914 (T visa) as a backup, which is allowed
The U.S. Attorney issues a continued-presence letter while the case is pending	ICE grants continued presence, which gives Sofia work authorization within weeks, faster than the BFD timeline
Sofia testifies at trial three years later and remains in U status	USCIS approves the U visa, and after three years in status, Sofia files Form I-485 to adjust status

Scenario 3: Child Witness to Felonious Assault

Petitioner Action	USCIS Outcome
Ten-year-old Diego witnesses his uncle’s murder in Chicago and gives a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center	The Cook County State’s Attorney certifies Supplement B for murder, listing Diego as an indirect victim because he is a minor whose family member was killed
Diego’s mother files Form I-918 as Diego’s parent under 8 CFR §214.14(c)(1)(ii) and Supplement A for Diego’s mother as a derivative parent	USCIS accepts both petitions and treats Diego as the principal petitioner
Mother attaches school records, therapy notes, and a child-life specialist’s letter to prove substantial mental abuse	USCIS issues an RFE for additional therapy records, which the mother provides within 60 days
USCIS issues a Bona Fide Determination 16 months after filing, granting Diego and his mother work authorization and deferred action	Diego stays in school, his mother works legally, and the family waits for full U status

Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes on Form I-918 cost months or years. The list below covers the seven most common errors and the consequence of each, drawn from published USCIS denials and AAO decisions on the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office page.

• Filing an outdated edition of Form I-918, which the mailroom rejects under 8 CFR §103.2(a)(7), costing your priority date.
• Submitting a Supplement B older than six months, which triggers an RFE for fresh certification and delays the case by several months.
• Forgetting Form I-192 when an inadmissibility ground applies, which results in automatic denial of the principal petition.
• Hiding a prior arrest or removal order, which USCIS finds through fingerprints and treats as fraud under INA §212(a)(6)(C).
• Writing a thin personal statement that does not describe the harm, which leads to an RFE for more detail and adds 60 to 120 days.
• Mismatching the qualifying crime between Part 4 and Supplement B, which forces an RFE to reconcile the two.
• Failing to file Form G-28 with attorney representation, so all notices go to the petitioner instead of the attorney, and deadlines get missed.
• Mailing the petition to the wrong address, because U petitions go to the Vermont Service Center, not a lockbox.
• Forgetting to sign Part 6 in dark ink, which results in mailroom rejection.
• Skipping derivative Supplement A filings, which leaves spouses and children without status and risks aging out.

Do’s and Don’ts

The list below pulls from the USCIS Policy Manual on U nonimmigrant status and the practice guides published by ASISTA Immigration Assistance.

Do’s

• Do request Supplement B in writing with the case number, because written requests create a paper trail that helps if the agency drags its feet.
• Do attach a personal statement signed under penalty of perjury, because USCIS treats sworn statements as primary evidence.
• Do file Form I-192 whenever any inadmissibility ground applies, because the U-visa waiver standard is broader than other waivers.
• Do file Supplement A for every eligible family member as soon as possible, because BFD work authorization speeds up family stability.
• Do keep a copy of the entire package and the certified mail receipt, because USCIS sometimes loses files and you need proof of filing.

Don’ts

• Don’t file the petition without Supplement B, because helpfulness is statutory and missing Supplement B is fatal.
• Don’t lie about prior arrests, because biometrics will reveal the truth and fraud findings cannot be cured.
• Don’t pay a filing fee, because Form I-918 is free and a paid check signals you used an outdated form.
• Don’t sue an agency that refuses to certify, because federal courts treat certification as discretionary.
• Don’t ignore Requests for Evidence, because USCIS denies the petition if you miss the 87-day RFE deadline under 8 CFR §103.2(b)(8).

Pros and Cons of Filing Form I-918

The U visa is powerful, but the wait is long. Weigh the benefits and burdens before you decide whether to file, and consider alternatives like the T visa, VAWA self-petition, or asylum.

Pros

• You receive lawful status for four years and an automatic work permit, which means you can work for any employer in the United States.
• You can include your spouse, children, parents (if you are under 21), and unmarried siblings (if you are under 21) on Supplement A.
• You can adjust status to a green card after three years of continuous physical presence under INA §245(m).
• You qualify for deferred action and an EAD through the Bona Fide Determination, often within 18 months, well before final approval.
• The petition is free, including all biometrics, and almost every related fee can be waived.

Cons

• The 10,000 visa cap creates a backlog of more than five years, which means full status takes a long time.
• You must rely on a certifying agency, and many agencies refuse or delay certification.
• You cannot leave the United States during the wait without serious risk to your case.
• A denial can leave you exposed to removal, especially if you filed while in proceedings.
• The personal statement requires you to relive the trauma in detail, which can affect your mental health.

Bona Fide Determination and Work Authorization

USCIS launched the Bona Fide Determination process in June 2021 to give U petitioners earlier work authorization. Under the process, USCIS reviews each petition for completeness, confirms a signed Supplement B, runs background checks, and then issues a positive bona fide determination if it does not pose a risk to national security or public safety.

A positive determination triggers a four-year EAD under category (c)(14) and deferred action. The petitioner can renew the EAD until USCIS adjudicates the underlying I-918. Derivatives on Supplement A also receive BFD consideration.

The consequence of a negative bona fide determination is not a denial of the underlying petition; the petition continues in the regular queue. A common misconception is that BFD replaces the visa cap, but the cap still applies, and only full U-visa approval starts the three-year clock for adjustment.

Adjustment of Status After U Status

After three years of continuous physical presence in U status, you can file Form I-485 under INA §245(m). USCIS asks for evidence of continuous presence, evidence of ongoing helpfulness or that you did not unreasonably refuse to assist, and evidence that adjustment is justified on humanitarian grounds, to ensure family unity, or in the public interest.

Travel during the U-visa period can break continuous presence if you are abroad more than 90 days at a time or 180 days total. Use Form I-131 for advance parole if you must travel.

The consequence of breaking continuous presence is loss of adjustment eligibility. A common misconception is that any travel ends the clock, but short trips with advance parole are usually fine.

Key Court Rulings and Agency Decisions

Courts and the Administrative Appeals Office have shaped U-visa practice. The published decisions on the AAO non-precedent decisions page show the agency’s reasoning on common issues.

In Ordonez Orosco v. Napolitano, the Ninth Circuit held that derivative U-visa beneficiaries can adjust status even if the principal does not. In Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, the Seventh Circuit held that USCIS has no enforceable duty to adjudicate U petitions on a timeline, which means mandamus suits to speed up processing usually fail. In L.D.G. v. Holder, the Second Circuit held that U-visa applicants in removal proceedings deserve continuances, but the Supreme Court’s later decision in Niz-Chavez v. Garland affects how immigration courts handle related notice issues.

The consequence of these rulings is that you should plan for a long wait and accept that federal courts will not speed it up. A common misconception is that you can force USCIS to act through a lawsuit, but most courts dismiss those cases.

State-Level Certification Nuances

Federal law sets the floor; states add the polish. California Penal Code §679.10 makes certification by California agencies mandatory when the elements are met, and Senate Bill 674 (2015) added enforcement teeth. The Illinois VOICES Act imposes a 90-day deadline. New York operates under guidance from the New York State Office of Victim Services and individual prosecutor protocols.

Texas, Florida, and Georgia have no statewide certification mandate, so practice varies by county. In Texas, Harris County and Travis County certify often, but smaller counties refuse routinely. In Florida, the Miami-Dade State Attorney certifies regularly, while northern counties decline more often.

The consequence of state variation is that you should pick the certifying agency strategically. A real-world example: a petitioner named Beatriz lived in a Florida county that rarely certified, so her attorney sought certification from the federal investigating agency instead. A common misconception is that only police certify, but the Department of Labor, EEOC, and child protective services can also certify.

FAQs

Is Form I-918 free to file?

Yes. Form I-918, Supplement A, Supplement B, biometrics, and Form I-765 for U work authorization are all free. Form I-192 has a fee, but USCIS almost always grants fee waivers for U petitioners.

Can I file Form I-918 if I am in removal proceedings?

Yes. You can file from anywhere in the immigration process. Ask the immigration judge for administrative closure or a continuance after USCIS issues a receipt notice, and consider filing a joint motion with ICE counsel.

Do I need a lawyer to file Form I-918?

No. You can file pro se, but the petition is complex and a lawyer or BIA-accredited representative sharply improves your odds, especially when waivers, derivatives, or removal issues are involved.

Can my family members get U status too?

Yes. File Form I-918 Supplement A for each qualifying family member. If you are under 21, that includes spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings under 18; if you are 21 or older, only spouse and children.

Will I get a work permit while I wait?

Yes. Through the Bona Fide Determination process, USCIS usually grants a four-year EAD and deferred action 12 to 24 months after filing, well before final approval of the U visa.

Can I travel outside the United States after filing?

No. Travel before approval is risky and can lead to denial of re-entry. After U-status approval, you can apply for advance parole, but extended absences threaten adjustment eligibility.

Can a misdemeanor crime qualify for a U visa?

Yes. The label does not control. If the elements of the state misdemeanor match a listed federal crime such as domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, the misdemeanor can qualify under the “any similar activity” catchall.

Do I have to testify in court to keep my U visa?

No. You must remain helpful, but helpfulness is not the same as testifying. If the prosecutor never calls you, you keep your status; if you refuse a reasonable request, the agency can withdraw certification.

Can I get a green card with a U visa?

Yes. After three years of continuous physical presence in U status, you can file Form I-485 under INA §245(m) to adjust to lawful permanent resident.

Does Form I-918 protect me from deportation right away?

No. Filing alone does not stop removal. You receive deferred action and an EAD only after USCIS issues a Bona Fide Determination or full approval, which can take a year or more.

Can I include a child born after I filed Form I-918?

Yes. File a new Supplement A for the child as soon as possible, even after principal approval, because after-acquired derivatives are eligible if the qualifying relationship existed before adjudication of the principal.

What if the police refuse to sign Supplement B?

No federal court will force certification, but you have options. Look for another certifier such as a prosecutor, judge, child protective services, the EEOC, or the Department of Labor, and use state law if your state mandates certification.