One way to adjust your status in the United States is through the T visa. This visa provides a pathway for victims of human trafficking in the United States to eventually obtain permanent residency. However, a key requirement is the willingness to collaborate with authorities, which can be daunting for immigrants when submitting their application.
In today’s article, we will explain how you can meet this requirement safely.
Who Can Apply for the T Visa?
The T Visa is available for:
- Victims of human trafficking who are in the United States due to trafficking.
- Individuals who have cooperated with authorities in the investigation or prosecution of traffickers, unless they are under 21 years old or qualify for a “trauma exception.”
How to Contact Authorities for Help
You can contact authorities in several ways, even while you are a victim of trafficking. For example:
- Workplace Raids: If law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conduct a raid at your workplace where you are being exploited, you can report your situation to the authorities.
- Arrests for Forced Crimes: Authorities may arrest you for prostitution or other crimes that the trafficker forced you to commit. At that moment, you can also report your situation.
- Labor Investigations: State or federal officials may be sent to investigate violations at your workplace. If you are in a trafficking or labor exploitation situation, you can report it.
If you contact authorities in any of these ways, you can inform them of your situation safely. If the agency you contact cannot investigate, they should be able to refer you to the appropriate agency that can help.
Reporting Trafficking on Your Own
You don’t have to wait for authorities to find you. If you can do so safely, report your situation directly to authorities or ask someone with legal status to help. You can report trafficking to:
- Local police (by calling 911).
- A local FBI office.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Safe Alternatives for Reporting
Additionally, there are other ways to report your situation and get guidance on how to proceed safely:
- Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice: Call them at 1-888-428-7581.
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call them at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BeFree).
- US Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (OIG): Call them at 1-202-693-6999 or 1-800-347-3756 or email them at hotline@oig.dol.gov.
Risks and Precautions
Contacting authorities on your own can be risky, as some of these agencies might involve ICE. If this happens, you should ask to speak with an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent specialized in human trafficking.
Keep in mind that ICE’s primary goal is to identify, detain, and deport individuals who are in the country illegally, so you could be detained or deported.
What Can You Do?
It’s important to understand that, although many victims can report their situation to authorities, these authorities may decide not to investigate your case for various reasons. This does not mean you are not a real victim of trafficking or that you cannot receive T Visa status.
The safest way to report your situation is through an immigration attorney who works with human trafficking cases (T Visa).
At Saavedra & Perez Law, we can guide and support you throughout the entire process. If you or someone you know is in a trafficking or labor exploitation situation and needs to adjust their immigration status, you should seek specialized legal advice.
Remember, there are options available and support for those who need it. You are not alone; we are with you every step of the way.