Atlanta Crime Victims Immigration Lawyer
Members of the immigrant community are some of the most vulnerable members of society when it comes to being the victim of crime. With limited English and unfamiliarity with American laws and legal procedures, many immigrant crime victims are fearful about speaking up or simply don’t know how to properly report a crime and make themselves heard and understood. Some people come from countries where they are right to mistrust the police and judicial system, and they carry that distrust with them when they come to the states. Others are preyed upon and victimized precisely because they are immigrants, either attacked out of racial or ethnic hatred or because others know they can take advantage of immigrants who are hesitant to report a crime to the authorities.
At Shirazi Immigration Law, we want you to know that even if you are an undocumented immigrant, you have rights when it comes to being the victim of a crime. Your very presence in the U.S. may be the result of criminal activity if you were trafficked into the U.S. Whatever your concern, bring it to Shirazi Immigration Law for a confidential consultation. We will take the time to understand your situation and carefully explain your options to you. However we can help, rest assured that our Atlanta immigration attorneys will provide you with high-quality legal advice and representation along with the utmost in customer/client service and care.
Immigration Protections for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes
Congress created two separate visa programs to help victims of human trafficking and other crimes. T visas and U visas provide a pathway to a Green Card for crime victims as well as permanent residence for certain family members through a derivative visa process. Learn more about T visas and U visas below, or contact Shirazi Immigration Law for immediate assistance.
T Visas
A T visa is available to someone who was brought into the country through human trafficking. These are people who were abducted, forced, recruited or tricked into coming to America and who wouldn’t be here otherwise, or who thought they were coming to the U.S. for legitimate reasons but were then forced into a human trafficking endeavor such as prostitution, slavery, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, debt bondage or involuntary servitude. Adults and children alike can be trafficked.
In most cases, getting a T visa requires you to comply with reasonable law enforcement requests to cooperate in their investigation into human trafficking. Minors and others who suffered physical or psychological trauma may be exempt from having to cooperate. An applicant cannot otherwise be inadmissible, and they must be able to prove that deportation would cause “extreme hardship involving unusual and extreme harm.”
U Visas
U visas are available to human trafficking victims as well as victims of other crimes such as torture, rape, abduction or kidnapping. Obtaining a U visa does require cooperation with law enforcement regarding the investigation into the crime. U visa holders must show substantial physical or mental abuse to avoid removal proceedings.
If you were trafficked into the U.S., you could potentially qualify for either a T visa or a U visa. Shirazi Immigration Law can explain your options and help you apply for the visa that best fits your needs.
Immigration Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
One out of every four women will encounter domestic violence in their lifetime. Here in America, more than one million women every year are physically assaulted by their intimate partners. Domestic abusers thrive on physical and emotional control of their victims, and immigrant women are especially easy targets for abuse and control due to factors such as language barriers, social isolation, and reluctance to call the police for help.
Help is available, and you can find it at Shirazi Immigration Law in Atlanta and Moultrie. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is one way that battered women can apply for a Green Card and lawful permanent residence if they would otherwise have to rely on an abusive spouse or parent who was sponsoring them as a U.S. citizen or resident. VAWA lets you sidestep the alien relative process and self-petition for residency without the help or even the knowledge of your abuser. With our help, you can start a new life in the U.S. free from an abusive relationship.
A U Visa is another option for victims of domestic violence. The Atlanta immigration attorneys at Shirazi Immigration Law will help you understand which option you qualify for best and walk you through all the necessary steps to get your Green Card and get free of abuse.
Immediate Help for Immigrant Crime Victims in Atlanta, Moultrie and Georgia Statewide
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse or threatened with domestic violence, find a safe space like a local library or coffee shop and reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233 or clicking here to reach them online. They can help you find shelter and link you up with local services that can help. If you are concerned about your immigration status, call Shirazi Immigration Law in Atlanta, or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation with a compassionate and dedicated Atlanta immigration attorney.
