Mesa T-Visa Lawyer

People come to the United States hoping to find meaningful work and build new lives for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, they often face delays and legal barriers that their family cannot afford, and predators are willing to take advantage of their desperation.

Victims of human trafficking deserve a chance to change their status and gain legal citizenship. An experienced Mesa T-visa lawyer at the Solano Immigration Law Firm could help you do that. We could help you file the necessary documentation and negotiate with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to get you the opportunities you hoped for in America. Contact our office and speak with one of our seasoned visa attorneys right away to begin your T-visa application. We could work to protect your legal rights and safety while starting your citizenship case.

What Is a T Visa?

A T visa is a non-immigrant visa similar to a U visa. It lets victims of human trafficking stay in the U.S. and pauses their deportation proceedings while the state prosecutes their traffickers.

Typically, the U.S. can deport victims of sex trafficking and forced labor the same as any other undocumented immigrant. However, law enforcement needs victims’ help to prosecute the criminals who brought them to America illegally and kept them here against their will. T visas stop the deportation process and let trafficking victims stay in the U.S. as long as they agree to help with the investigation and prosecution efforts.

If the traffickers threaten a victim’s family members after the victim escapes, the victim can apply for protection on their family’s behalf. Your attorney could explain derivative T visas in detail when you visit our office in Mesa.

How the T-Visa Application Process Works

A Mesa immigration attorney could explain the T-visa application process in depth and help you file the initial paperwork. Like any citizenship application, it involves extensive documentation and interviews with immigration agents.

After you complete the basic application and a supplemental form that describes your personal experience, your attorney could explain the details USCIS needs to approve your application. The supplemental description must contain an explanation of your efforts to contact law enforcement and your willingness to cooperate with further prosecution of the traffickers.

Bona Fide Determination Process

The first step after submitting the application is the bona fide determination. This is not an approval of the application, but instead an initial evaluation where a USCIS officer decides if your application meets all requirements and if you have filed it in good faith, or with honest intentions.

The bona fide determination halts the deportation process, giving you time to strengthen your case and meet with your attorney to work with law enforcement. You can also apply for a work permit and obtain legitimate employment in the U.S. during this time.

Even if you have already received a deportation order, you can still apply for a T visa, but you must act quickly. Do not let a fear of law enforcement delay your application. An immigration lawyer could protect you and help you file the proper paperwork to avoid removal.

Derivative Status

You can apply for T-visa status for family members if there has been a credible threat to their safety. USCIS recommends filing all your paperwork at the same time to avoid delays. If you believe your spouse, parents, or children may be at risk, let your attorney know when you visit our office.

Contact a Mesa T-Visa Attorney Today

Human traffickers take their victims’ hopes, money, and at times, even their lives. A Mesa T-visa lawyer could help you regain a sense of safety and keep you and your family in your new country. Contact our office today and let us help you escape from the trauma of human trafficking.