The GLS Immigration Team represents vulnerable immigrant children and adults, who are survivors of assault, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other serious crimes, to obtain legal immigration status in the United States. GLS often handles cases finding immigration relief under
- U nonimmigrant status (often referred to as a “U visa”)
- T nonimmigrant status (often referred to as a “T visa”)
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
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HAVE YOU BEEN
THE VICTIM OF CRIME?
GLS often handles, among other forms of relief:
U nonimmigrant status (often referred to as a “U visa”)
U nonimmigrant status is a legal status available to undocumented victims of crime who cooperate with law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of the crimes they suffered. While it is understandable that those without legal status in the U.S. may feel nervous to interact with law enforcement, reporting crimes and assisting law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys keeps everyone living in the U.S. safer. U nonimmigrant status is designed to encourage and reward victims who cooperate with law enforcement.
T nonimmigrant status (often referred to as a “T visa”)
T nonimmigrant status is a form of immigration relief for victims of labor and commercial sex trafficking. Like eligibility for U visas, eligibility for T visas encourages survivors to come forward and report their human trafficking victimization and cooperate with law enforcement to detect, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Immigrant survivors of domestic violence may qualify to file a VAWA Self-Petition to obtain legal immigration status in the United States. Self-petitioners must have a familial relationship with a cruel or abusive U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident. Eligible relationships include that of a spouse, child, or stepchild of a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and a parent or step parent of an abusive U.S. citizen.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
SIJS cases are for certain children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both of their parents.
To see if you are eligible for GLS assistance regarding an immigration issue, click here.
*** These questions and answers are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Legal advice cannot be given without information about your specific situation.
- Call Us Now: 800-230-5920
A Fresh Start
While the process to become a Legal Permanent Resident, and eventually a U.S. Citizen, is a long one, clients can celebrate several benefits along the way, such as obtaining an employment authorization document and a driver’s license. Clients can also file for certain members of their families to receive derivative legal status. Applying for relief often involves recalling difficult or painful details about a client’s life. The GLS Immigration Unit takes care to practice trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy. The beautiful thing about these cases is that they often transform what was one of the worst experiences in a person’s life into an opportunity to live safely and securely in the United States.
- Call Us Now: 800-230-5920
Updates from GLS Blog
A Closer Look at the GLS Immigration Team’s Work
A Closer Look at the GLS Immigration Team’s Work By Danielle Fullam, Esq., Staff Attorney - The GLS Immigration Team represents vulnerable immigrant children and adults, who […]
https://gulfcoastlegal.org/blog/a-closer-look-at-the-gls-immigration-teams-work
Eviction Form-builder to Assist Tenants in Answering Eviction Notices
Eviction Form-builder to Assist Tenants in Answering Eviction Notices St. Petersburg, FL – Rents in Pinellas County are rising by 24%, which is one of the […]
https://gulfcoastlegal.org/blog/eviction-form-builder-to-assist-tenants-in-answering-eviction-notices
Financial Domestic Abuse
Financial Domestic Abuse By Taylor Paulin, Stetson University College of Law - According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in 2019 there were 105,298 domestic violence […]
https://gulfcoastlegal.org/blog/financial-domestic-abuse
An Adjustment of Status for T-Nonimmigrant Story
An Adjustment of Status for T-Nonimmigrant Story By Luis Echeverri, GLS Senior Paralegal - Our client “Ramon” was identified as a victim of human trafficking, and […]
https://gulfcoastlegal.org/blog/an-adjustment-of-status-for-t-nonimmigrant-story
- Call Us Now: 800-230-5920