Immigrant survivors of human trafficking can apply for a T visa, an immigration status that allows trafficking victims to live and work in the U.S. for three years. After the three-year period, they can apply for a green card.

To qualify for a T visa, a person must:

	Be physically present in the U.S. due to a present or past trafficking situation.
	Comply or have complied with requests for assistance in the investigation and/or prosecution of their trafficker. (This requirement does not apply to children 18 years and younger.)
	Demonstrate that he/she would suffer “extreme hardship” involving unusual and severe harm upon removal from the U.S.

 

Immediate family members of trafficking victims can apply for a T visa as “derivative applicants” if they are:

	A spouse or minor child of an adult trafficking victim.
	A spouse, minor child, minor sibling or parent of a trafficking victim who is younger than 18 years old.

Family members can make an application for a T visa from the U.S. or abroad.

 

LAFLA refers human trafficking clients to local agencies that can help them access a wide array of benefits and services regardless of the victim’s immigration status. Some available benefits include:

	Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
	Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
	Mental health counseling
	Job training and placement
	English language classes

 

To obtain representation and benefits, a person over the age of 18 must:

	Meet the legal definition of a trafficking victim.
	Be willing to cooperate with law enforcement in prosecuting the traffickers.
	Have a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certification letter OR a pending application for a T visa.

A person under the age of 18 must:

	Meet the legal definition of a trafficking victim
	Have Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eligibility letter OR a pending application for a T visa.