Our Immigration Services

T-Visa Lawyer

Are you in the U.S. due to human trafficking? Get hope and legal support with a T-Visa

The T-Visa is a nonimmigrant visa specifically designed for individuals who have been victims of human trafficking and are present in the United States as a result of trafficking. It aims to provide these victims with a way to remain in the U.S. legally while assisting law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases.

Immigration T-Visa

T-Visa Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a T-Visa, you need to meet one or more of the following criteria:

Victim of Severe Trafficking:

You must have been subjected to severe forms of trafficking, which can include both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

Assistance in Prosecution:

You are required to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases. It’s important to note that if you are under the age of 18, you are exempt from this requirement.

Presence in the U.S.:

You need to be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or at a port of entry as a direct result of trafficking.

Risk of Severe Hardship:

You must demonstrate that being removed from the United States would cause you to suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm.

These requirements are designed to protect and support victims of trafficking, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives safely in the U.S. If you believe you meet these criteria, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation to explore your legal options.

Reach Out

Examples of Trafficking that may make you eligible for a T-Visa

Personal Servitude:

Being brought to the U.S. by someone who then forces you to perform personal services without compensation, such as:

  • Cooking, cleaning, or maintaining a trafficker’s home under threats or coercion.
  • Acting as a carrier for a trafficker’s belongings, under duress.
  • Being compelled to engage in sexual acts as a form of repayment or under threats of harm.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation:

Being coerced or deceived into prostitution or other forms of commercial sexual activities, often under the guise of legitimate employment opportunities.

Domestic Work:

Employed in a private home where you:

  • Are isolated from the outside world, with limited or no access to communication.
  • Experience physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.
  • Have your personal documents withheld to prevent you from leaving.

Workplace Exploitation:

Working in conditions where your rights are violated, including:

  • Performing labor in businesses or homes where you are promised payment, but payment is consistently withheld or denied.
  • Being forced to work excessively long hours without pay for overtime, often under the threat of punishment.
  • Receiving threats of deportation or violence from employers if you complain or attempt to leave the job.
  • Required to work in hazardous conditions without appropriate safety training or equipment.

Agricultural or Factory Labor:

Working in agriculture or manufacturing where you are:

  • Not paid fairly or at all for your labor.
  • Subjected to poor living conditions, often with excessive control over your personal life (e.g., restricted communication, monitored movements).
  • Threatened with violence or reprisals against family members if you seek to escape or report the conditions.

What are the benefits of a T-Visa?

The T-Visa offers significant benefits to support you as you rebuild your life in safety:

Stay in the U.S.:

You can remain in the United States for up to four years, providing stability as you recover and rebuild.

Family Reunification:

Some of your family members might also be eligible to join you in the U.S. through derivative T-Visas, helping to keep or bring your loved ones together.

Work Authorization:

As a T-Visa holder, you will have the right to work in the U.S., allowing you to earn a living and gain independence.

Path to Permanent Residency:

After maintaining your T-Visa status for three years, or once the investigation or prosecution of your trafficking case concludes (whichever is earlier), you can apply to adjust your status and become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

These benefits are designed to provide you with the resources and support needed to start anew with dignity and security. If you have questions about these benefits or how to apply for a T-Visa, we're here to help you every step of the way.

Saavedra & Perez’s T-Visa Services Include:

Personalized Legal Consultation:

  • We provide a safe, confidential environment to evaluate your situation and discuss eligibility for a T-Visa.
  • We treat every case with the care and respect we’d want for our own families, ensuring you understand each step of the process.

Ongoing Legal and Emotional Support:

  • We stay by your side from start to finish, whether the process takes days or years. We ensure you are informed and empowered to make decisions that are right for you.
  • We’ll represent you during any required interactions with law enforcement or immigration authorities.

Preparation and Filing of Your T-Visa Application:

  • Our experienced attorneys assist in gathering the necessary documentation and evidence, preparing a robust application tailored to your unique circumstances.
  • We manage all filings and interactions with USCIS, advocating on your behalf throughout the process.

Adjustment of Status and Future Planning:

  • Guidance through the process of adjusting your status to become a lawful permanent resident after three years or once the investigation or prosecution of your trafficking case concludes (whichever is earlier).
  • Support in planning for a future in the U.S., including family reunification and citizenship.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know is seeking freedom from the shadows of human trafficking, contact Saavedra and Perez Law for a confidential consultation. Let us help you secure your legal status and start a new chapter of safety and opportunity in the United States.

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Attorney Michelle Perez

Written by

Michelle Perez

Immigration Removal Defense | Immigration Appeals | Crimmigration | VAWA | Military-Based Immigration

Michelle Perez, JD, is a founding attorney at Saavedra & Perez Law, PLLC, where she leads the firm's removal defense and immigration appeals practice. The daughter of immigrants herself, Michelle has lived this work firsthand - including personally guiding her father through the pardon process after decades-old criminal charges kept him from his home country for 58 years. Licensed in Florida with over a decade of experience, she represents clients in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and in federal proceedings, concentrating on removal defense, cancellation of removal, VAWA, waivers, and complex immigration matters involving criminal history. A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), she has presented at AILA panels on immigration law and client experience. Michelle is known for taking on complex, high-stakes cases and crafting creative legal arguments.

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