Humanitarian
Some of the strongest immigration cases belong to people who believe they have no options at all — survivors of violence, victims of crime, and people who cannot safely return home.
These protections exist specifically for people without status. Applying does not require having a family member to petition for you, and several of them do not require the cooperation, knowledge, or consent of anyone who harmed you.
Humanitarian cases are evidence-heavy and they are personal. Much of the work is documentation — records, declarations, evaluations — and much of it involves asking you to describe things you would rather not revisit. That is done at your pace, and you will know why each piece is needed.
What Relief May Be Available
ASYLUM - For people who fear persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
U-VISA - For people who were victims of certain serious crime in the United States, suffered physical or mental harm, and have been helpful to law enforcement.
T-VISA - For victims of human trafficking, including people who were brought to the United States under false pretenses about the work, the pay, or the conditions.
VAWA - For a spouse, child, or parent who has been abused by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) - For children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, and who obtains an order from a state juvenile or family court making certain findings. Requires action in two court systems, and the state court step has an age limit that makes timing and filing urgent.