From Trafficking Survivor to Protected Resident

In the fall of last year, we were contacted by a courageous individual with a deeply complex immigration background. As a minor, he had been trafficked into the United States. After learning his story, our legal team quickly determined that he qualified for a T visa — a form of protection specifically for survivors of human trafficking.

Throughout the process, our client expressed serious concerns about potential retaliation from his traffickers. We made confidentiality a top priority, handling every part of his case with the utmost discretion, including all interactions with law enforcement.

Our legal team also worked to establish that he qualified for an exemption to one of the T visa requirements, since he was under the age of 18 when at least one act of trafficking occurred. We gathered evidence, coordinated with various agencies, and submitted his T visa application on time.

Shortly after filing, USCIS made a critical error that risked the confidentiality of the case. Our team acted immediately to correct the issue and submitted an expedited request, which was approved.

Less than two months later, our client received T visa approval without an interview — a process that typically takes over 22 months!

Today, our client is protected under T visa status and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in under 3 years. This case stands as a testament to what’s possible when trauma survivors are met with experienced, compassionate legal help.