Humanitarian Petitions, Case types:

a) Affirmative Asylum—Protection from Persecution is available to individuals who fear persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. It is also applicable to specific family members.

• The Applicant must file within one year of arriving in the U.S. unless an exception applies.

• After filing, the applicant can request employment authorization.

• If the Asylum is granted, the applicant can apply for a green card after one year

 

b) Temporary Protected Status (TPS) – Relief for Nationals of Designated Countries Relief is available for individuals from specific countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extreme conditions.

• Protects from deportation and allows for work authorization during designated periods.

• Country designations and eligibility periods are determined by the U.S. government.

 

c) U Visa – For Victims of Certain Crimes Available for Victims of a qualifying crime in the United States (see below) who have helped law enforcement investigate or prosecute the crime. Applicable also to specific family members.

• A police report may be required; however, our law firm is available to assist you in requesting your police report.

• Provides a work permit, which may lead to a green card after three years.

 

Qualifying Criminal Activities​

• Abduction

• Abusive Sexual Contact

• Blackmail

• Domestic Violence

• Extortion

• False Imprisonment

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Felonious Assault

• Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting

• Hostage

• Incest

• Involuntary Servitude

• Kidnapping

• Manslaughter

• Murder

• Obstruction of Justice

• Peonage

• Perjury

• Prostitution

• Rape

• Sexual Assault

• Sexual Exploitation

• Slave Trade

• Stalking

• Torture

• Trafficking

• Witness Tampering

• Unlawful Criminal Restraint

• Other Related Crimes*† including conspiracy

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d) T Visa – For Victims of Human Trafficking

Special immigration benefit for victims of human trafficking. This visa is designed to protect individuals who have been forced, coerced, or tricked into labor or commercial sex work and assist law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting traffickers. It allows the victim and specific family members to remain/ enter the United States, obtain work authorization, and eventually apply for a green card.

• Requires cooperation with law enforcement (minimal participation in most cases)

• Offers access to special victim assistance programs and protection from deportation.

• Ability to apply for certain family members (spouse, children, parents, and siblings in some cases)

• Is a pathway to a green card after three years or once law enforcement has completed its investigation.

 

Who Qualifies for a T Visa? Basic eligibility criteria:

1) Victim of a Severe Form of Human Trafficking:

• Labor trafficking: Forced labor, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage.

• Sex trafficking: Forced or coerced commercial sex acts or any commercial sex acts involving minors (under 18).

2) Physical Presence in the U.S. Due to Trafficking:

You must be in the U.S. (or at a port of entry) as a direct result of trafficking. *Additional requirements may apply depending on your case.

3) Cooperation with Law Enforcement:

In some cases, applicants must assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting their traffickers (unless the applicant is under 18 or unable to cooperate due to trauma). *Additional requirements may apply depending on your case.

4) Will suffer Extreme Hardship if Forced to Leave the U.S.:

Applicants must show they would face extreme harm if forced to return to their home country.

5) Admissibility or a Waiver:

If you have past immigration violations or criminal history, you may need to request a waiver.

 

• Applying for a T Visa requires strong evidence, careful legal strategy, protocols, and, in some cases, applicant preparation. Our firm is trained to work with victims of violence and is dedicated to helping survivors of trafficking navigate their process with compassion, confidentiality, and expertise. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, contact us today for a confidential consultation!

 

e) VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) – For Abused Spouses, Children, and Parents

This type of relief allows certain abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders to self-petition for legal status without the abuser’s knowledge, participation, or sponsoring and can be used as a pathway to secure immigration status.

 

f) Humanitarian Parole – For Emergency or Urgent Cases

Allows individuals to enter the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons, such as medical emergencies, family reunification, or protection from imminent harm.

Typically granted on a case-by-case basis for short-term stays.

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