Orange County T Visa Lawyer

T visas provide relief to victims of human trafficking who have been subject to labor or sex exploitation and who are willing to help law enforcement pursue criminal charges. As your Orange County T visa lawyer, we work with clients to determine if their experience with human trafficking meets the legal definition for trafficking and can support an application for a T visa.

U.S. Law Center partners with victims of human trafficking to gather evidence, reach out to law enforcement or social service agencies, and apply for lawful status so clients can stay in the United States safely to recover from their ordeal and begin to independently rebuild their lives.

Hire a T Visa Lawyer

U.S. Law Center represents victims of human trafficking who are seeking humanitarian protection in the United States with T visas and other forms of relief. We have experience representing victims of human trafficking before the Board of Immigration Appeals. Our lawyer is familiar with the ways in which immigration law can intersect with federal protections against human trafficking, and we can guide clients through the immigration application process.

U.S. Law Center can help to prepare Form I-914 applications, compile credible evidence of trafficking, and coordinate with law enforcement or social service agencies. With offices near the Santa Ana Immigration Court, we provide effective, compassionate legal support to survivors of human trafficking in Orange County and throughout Southern California who are ready to start rebuilding their lives.

Understanding What the T Visa Protects

The T visa is an immigration benefit available to victims of human trafficking who were subject to fraudulent or forceful circumstances. A T visa allows a victim of human trafficking to remain in the United States for up to four years, obtain work authorization, and later apply for a green card.

The purpose of the T visa is to provide victims of human trafficking the opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives in safety and to help law enforcement with criminal investigations against the traffickers. In fiscal year 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received 4,935 T visa applications and approved 3,034, including both T visa requests for victims of trafficking and qualifying family members.

Recognizing Human Trafficking in Orange County

Human trafficking for labor exploitation and commercial sex occurs across California, including in Orange County. Local law enforcement and social service agencies like the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) partner to rescue victims and hold human traffickers accountable.

Victims of human trafficking can be found in several industries, such as hospitality, domestic service, or agriculture. OCHTTF and other community members can initiate protective action by being contacted about suspected human trafficking. U.S. Law Center can help clients access these community resources and take the legal steps necessary to apply for a T visa.

Evidence Needed for a T Visa Application

Applicants need to demonstrate that they were a victim of a trafficking crime and that they assisted enforcement agencies in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Documents to support your application should help establish the trafficking experience of the applicant, as well as the applicant’s willingness to help law enforcement.

Organized, thorough applications allow USCIS to assess credibility and help prioritize cases for those in immediate danger. Typical forms of evidence for T visa applications include:

• Official records or reports from police or investigators confirming a human trafficking offense.
• Records of medical or psychological treatment indicating physical or mental harm or evidence of forceful or fraudulent circumstances.
• Letters or affidavits from a social service provider, victim advocate, or witness describing their interactions with the applicant.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Difference Between a T Visa and a U Visa?

A: The T visa is designed for victims of human trafficking, while the U visa is for victims of other qualifying crimes who have assisted law enforcement. Both visas grant temporary legal residency and work permission with green card eligibility requirements, but the T visa candidature demands human trafficking documentation and an official hardship removal certification. The documentation and legal standards are different for each program.

Q: Can T Visa Holders Apply for a Green Card?

A: Holders of the T visa are eligible to apply for a green card as legal permanent residents of the United States. To apply, T visa holders must have continuously resided in the United States for three years, or the trafficking investigation or prosecution has been completed, whichever is earlier. As part of the application, they must show good moral character and continued cooperation with law enforcement.

Q: Do I Have to Work With Law Enforcement to Get a T Visa?

A: While assistance to law enforcement is a critical part of most T visa cases, the law recognizes that victims may be unable or too traumatized to. Exceptions to the requirement can be granted to T visa applicants under the age of 18 or those who would be subject to severe mental or physical abuse if required to cooperate. The USCIS assesses what makes sense for the safety and protection of survivors. Each case is determined on its own merits.

Q: Can Family Members Be Protected Through a T Visa?

A: Certain family members of T visa recipients can receive derivative status and share similar protections. Typically, this includes a spouse and unmarried children under 21. If the principal applicant is under 21, parents and unmarried siblings under 18 may also qualify. Each family member must file their own application, but can remain in the United States legally while the primary case is pending or approved.

Orange County T Visa Lawyer

The T visa helps survivors of human trafficking to recover in safety and legal stability in the United States. These cases all require detailed documentation, careful legal analysis, and an understanding of how trauma affects both cooperation with law enforcement and the process of recovery from trauma.

At U.S. Law Center, we have a proven process to assist T visa clients in Orange County through every stage of the T visa process. We handle everything from collecting evidence to preparing and filing the T visa application to helping survivors apply for permanent residency.

Our mission is to protect survivors, reunite families, and empower our clients to build a new foundation for lasting security in the United States. Book a consultation today to hire a T visa lawyer.