T visas are a lifeline for victims of human trafficking, including those who have been forced into domestic servitude. A T visa can provide truly life-changing benefits, as it provides a pathway to safety, legal status, and access to vital support services.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic servitude, the attorneys at Odunlami Law are here to help you explore all the legal options available to you, including obtaining the safety and stability that comes with a T visa.
Our founder and principal attorney, Ifeoma A. Odunlami, has more than 20 years of immigration law experience and the personal perspective of being an immigrant herself. Ms. Odunlami and our entire legal team handle matters involving labor trafficking with the care and sensitivity they demand.
While we are located in New Jersey, we handle complex and sensitive immigration law cases for clients in all 50 states.
What Is Domestic Servitude?
Domestic servitude is a form of human trafficking in which people are forced to engage in domestic labor under exploitative conditions. Victims are often subjected to long hours, little or no pay, and constant surveillance. They may face physical, emotional, and psychological abuse while living completely isolated from the outside world.
Because the victims are often foreign nationals with no immigration status, they are naturally fearful to report the abuse. In this situation, it may seem as though the trafficker holds all the power, but that dynamic can be turned around with help from a knowledgeable T visa lawyer.
The Power of a T Visa
For a person trapped in domestic servitude, obtaining a T visa can open the door to benefits such as:
- Lawful status to stay in the U.S.: One of the ways traffickers gain the upper hand over their victims is the threat of deportation. With a T visa for domestic servitude, you do not have to fear being removed from the U.S.
- Work authorization: A T visa allows former victims of domestic servitude to work in the legitimate job market and enjoy the benefits and protections of legal employment status.
- A pathway to a green card: For victims of domestic servitude and other forms of trafficking, permanent residency status in the U.S. (a green card) starts with a T visa. Once you obtain this document, you can get to work on achieving your other immigration law goals.
With these benefits in hand, you can begin doing things that perhaps seemed out of reach during your time in domestic servitude. You may have the freedom to pursue a career and start rebuilding your life, independent and free from the threat of further mistreatment.
A skilled T visa attorney can help you through every step of the process of seeking and enjoying these life-changing benefits, while advising you on related legal matters pertaining to your immigration status.
Do You Know Someone Who May Be in Danger?
Victims of domestic servitude are often unable to come forward on their own, which is why it is important for concerned citizens to watch for signs that someone may be in danger.
If you suspect someone you know may be a victim of domestic servitude, it is important to recognize signs such as:
- The person is required to work excessively long hours without breaks
- They have limited or no freedom to leave the home in which they work
- They lack personal identification and control over their own finances
- They exhibit signs of fear and anxiety around their employer
If you do witness such signs, it is important to act with caution. While you want to help this person, you don’t want to do anything that can place them in further danger.
You can help by reaching out to local organizations or law enforcement that specialize in trafficking cases. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) is a confidential resource where you can report suspicions without fear of retaliation.
For information on T visas and other immigration law processes that can help a person in danger, talk with an attorney who has experience handling these matters.
Odunlami Law Can Help Victims of Human Trafficking
If you are ready to come out of the darkness of domestic servitude and seize a better life in the U.S., our law firm is here to offer the strong advocacy and compassionate guidance you need. Contact us today to arrange a confidential consultation with an immigration lawyer you can trust.
Our experienced T visa lawyers represent clients who live in all 50 states and abroad. We speak English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French.
