Archive for category: Immigration

Immigrants who are victims of sex or labor trafficking may be eligible to apply for a T Visa. If their application is approved, they will be able to remain in the United States pending the resolution of the trafficking investigation. T visa recipients are eligible to receive public benefits such as SSI and food stamps, and for some, a T visa can be a pathway to an eventual Green Card and citizenship.

The T Visa immigration lawyers at Bassey Immigration Law Center help immigrant sex and labor trafficking victims to prepare and file T visa applications. Our services are tailored to help immigrants manage the complex application process and give themselves the best possible chance for approval.

When is an immigrant eligible to file a T Visa application?

In addition to the basic T Visa requirement that an applicant must show that he or she is a victim of severe human sex or labor trafficking, a T Visa applicant must show that he or she:

• Has provided valuable assistance to law enforcement authorities that are investigating crimes involving human trafficking
• Has entered the United States or certain designated U.S. territories as a result of human trafficking
• Would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual or severe physical or mental harm if he or she was forced to depart from the U.S.

The U.S. Congress limits the number of T Visa applications that its Customs and Immigration Service can process in any given year. Immigrants should consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to verify that the limit has not yet been reached when they intend to submit their own T Visa applications.

How is a T Visa application different from a self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)?

VAWA self-petitions can be filed by victims who were married or directly related to the individual who trafficked them. In some cases, a trafficking victim can both apply for a T Visa and submit a VAWA self-petition.

VAWA self-petitions are generally processed in less time and allow applicants to qualify for a work permit while their petition is under review. VAWA self-petitions also do not require the same level of cooperation and assistance with law enforcement authorities that is mandated under the T Visa application standards. Last, VAWA self-petitions are more inclusive in terms of the type of abuse that will make an immigrant eligible for a favorable decision and provide an expedited path for lawful permanent residency. 

Contact Bassey Immigration Law Center

The T Visa immigration attorneys at Bassey Immigration Law Center help immigrant victims of sex and labor trafficking to file and process their T Visa applications and explore other avenues for U.S. residency, including VAWA self-petitions.

For information and an assessment of whether you qualify to apply for a T Visa, please contact us online, or call Bassey Immigration Law Center at 813-592-3943 or 727-408-5170.

Supporters of immigration reform in Florida have hopes that incoming President-elect Joe Biden could do several things to rectify family separation and improve circumstances for immigrants and their families. This includes repealing certain measures and limitations put into place under the prior administration. Many hope that he also has plans to address the issue of family separation soon after he takes office. While the main goal will be to reunify families, there are hundreds of kids whose parents have not yet been located.

In a pre-election statement, Biden said that as President, he would create a task force to locate these parents. He also indicated he would not prosecute families for violating immigration laws by crossing the border without authorization. Soon-to-be ex-President Trump used these violations as justification for detaining parents and separating their children from them.

While putting families back together is a noble goal, others believe there is more the new president should do. Some believe he should make plans for making amends for the inevitable psychological damage these kids likely suffered while detained away from their parents. Some of these parents may be awaiting deportation hearings, and others may have already been removed from the United States without their children.

Family separation is one of the many immigration issues that could be addressed under the incoming presidential administration. In the meantime, Florida families facing immigration concerns would be wise to work with an experienced attorney who can help them navigate the complex laws that pertain to their cases. With help, they may be able to avoid setbacks and additional complications.

Immigration reform has been one of the landmark issues of the current presidential administration. Over the course of the last four years, many governmental actions have greatly reduced the number of people who can enter the country on various type of visas. Funds have been spent to construct a border wall, and governmental polices have been responsible for the separation of families entering the country. Many in Florida hope that the incoming Biden Administration can bring immigration reform, but can he realistically accomplish this?

There are specific steps Biden is expected to take soon after he enters office. He is expected to enact measures that would protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He is also expected to roll back current restrictions on travel from certain Muslim-majority countries. While there is reason to hope these measures could be beneficial in certain ways, immigration advocates do not expect to see significant changes with those actions alone.

Many believe that Biden would have to implement sweeping measures that would overhaul a system believed to be unfair and overly complex. This includes fixing problems in detention centers, the immigration court system and the backlogged asylum case system. Some believe that President-Elect Biden should sign sweeping legislation for comprehensive immigration reform once he is inaugurated in January.

Those in Florida navigating the immigration system understand how complex it can be. Setbacks are common, as are delays and other problems. It is beneficial for one hoping to accomplish a specific goal, such as completing the naturalization process, to seek legal guidance from an experienced attorney. Even after potential immigration reform in the future, it will be prudent to have counsel when addressing any matter pertaining to immigration.

Trump’s immigration ban has delayed or destroyed many Florida immigrants’ hopes and dreams in two presidential proclamations. These proclamations suspended the entry of new immigrants into the United States, affecting thousands who are hoping to enter the country or renew temporary visas. If this continues, it will effectively bring to a standstill all employment-based and family immigration.

The reason given for these presidential proclamations was that the unemployment rate in the United States is high and allowing immigrants in could keep citizens from getting jobs. However, many believe this is unreasonable and unfair, and some have challenged the proclamations in court. Various plaintiffs filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction that would stop these rules from unfairly keeping immigrants from entering the country.

In spring of this year, legal rights organizations started moving forward with litigation after the first presidential proclamation was given. After the second order came in summer, steps were taken to seek an injunction. The court case is moving forward, and it appears that the plaintiffs will have their case heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Of course, the legal system is slow and frustrating, and immigrants may have to wait to see if the lawsuit positively impacts their individual cases.

Family immigration can be a frustrating and complex process even outside of frustrating new restrictions. Because of the complexity of completing paperwork and addressing challenges, immigrants and loved ones will find it helpful to work with an experienced Florida attorney. A legal ally can explain the options available and provide an understanding of how and when a case may move forward.

Bringing a loved one into the United States through the complex immigration process can be frustrating, especially with the Trump family immigration policy. Not only is it challenging to navigate the paperwork and other requirements, there are ever-changing laws and regulations that can make it even more difficult to be successful. Recently, the current administration cut immigration availability even lower, which is discouraging for those in Florida hoping to complete the family immigration process in the near future.

The administration is on pace to reduce the number of legal immigrants by half. This includes those trying to bring a family member into the county and those hoping to enter the United States for employment purposes. Citizens hoping to bring an immediate family member into the country should know that the administration’s recent decision will reduce the Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens category by more than 50% by the year 2021.

Estimates suggest that if it were not for the policies enacted since the start of this current administration, over 300,000 children, parents and spouses would have been reunited in 2021 with loved ones who are already U.S. Citizens. Part of the reason for this is the strict travel ban currently in place. There are also concerns that complex new immigration restrictions will slow down the process for those applying.

If a Florida family is trying to navigate the family immigration process, they do not have to do this alone. Because of the complex laws and changes, it is beneficial to have the help and guidance of an experienced immigration law attorney. This support can prove invaluable when trying to bring loved ones into the United States and reunite family members.