Humanitarian Relief | Asylum, T and U Visas Options
Asylum Immigration Relief
Our lawyers carefully screen asylee cases to ensure the criteria to file asylum is met. As a result, we have a strong track record of successful cases. Asylum status may be given to an individual who meets a very strict definition of a refugee. A refugee or asylee is defined as any person outside his or her country of nationality (or in the case of a “well-founded” fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is unable or unwilling to return to that country, and is unable or unwilling to avail him or herself of the protection of that country. There are unique conditions where a refugee is also someone still residing in their country.
An asylee must apply within one year of arrival in the United States, unless ‘exceptional circumstances’ are found that meet the Federal Regulations. If an individual is placed in removal, and has never applied for asylum relief, they may seek Withholding of Removal or CAT. Once an individual is granted asylum, they will eventually be able to adjust to a Permanent Resident and eventually Citizenship.
New Application and Work Permit Fees
- As of July 22, 2025, there is a new fee of $550 for the initial work permit application for asylum seekers, which previously had no fee requirement.
- Renewal of work permits for asylum seekers now costs $745 if done online, up $275 from before.
- Fee waivers are no longer available for initial work permit applications, though partial waivers may be requested for renewals.
- Work permits remain valid for five years, avoiding a proposed reduction to just six months.
Changes to Asylum Case Dismissal and Process
- Beginning in May 2025, the government-initiated mass dismissal of certain asylum cases.
- Some asylum seekers have received dismissal notices, affecting their pending status and related benefits.
- If a work permit was based on a now-dismissed asylum case, it may automatically end in specific scenarios under the new law.
These updates impact the financial, legal, and procedural aspects of local asylum cases, with new fees, dismissal policies, and related consequences for work authorization and case management.
T Visa for Labor Trafficking Victims in Fairfax, VA
If you’ve been forced to work through fraud, coercion, or threats—whether as a PhD researcher, skilled tradesperson, or in any other profession—you may qualify for a T visa. Our Fairfax immigration law firm represents victims of labor trafficking at all professional levels, helping you secure legal status and rebuild your life in the United States.
What is Labor Trafficking?
Labor trafficking occurs when someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel you to work or provide services. This can happen to anyone, regardless of education or professional status:
- PhD professionals and researchers brought to the U.S. under false pretenses about working conditions
- Skilled workers in IT, healthcare, or other specialized fields subjected to debt bondage
- Construction and agricultural workers threatened with deportation or physical harm
- Domestic workers whose documents are confiscated and who face restricted movement
T Visa Benefits
The T visa provides:
- Legal status in the United States for up to 4 years
- Work authorization
- Path to permanent residency (green card) after 3 years
- Protection from removal
- Ability to include certain family members
Who Qualifies?
You may be eligible for a T visa if you:
- Are or were a victim of severe labor trafficking
- Are physically present in the U.S. because of the trafficking
- Have complied with reasonable law enforcement requests (or qualify for an exemption)
- Would suffer extreme hardship if removed from the United States
Our Experience
We understand that labor trafficking affects professionals and workers across all industries. Whether you were recruited internationally under false promises, had your visa status manipulated, or faced threats related to debt or your family’s safety, we provide experienced representation tailored to your situation.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About T Visas
Q: What evidence do I need for a T visa application?
A: A successful T visa application requires:
- Personal statement describing your trafficking experience, including how you entered the U.S., the circumstances of your victimization, who was responsible, how you escaped or were separated from traffickers, and the harm you fear if removed
- Evidence of severe trafficking, which may include:
- Your detailed affidavit
- Law enforcement declaration (Form I-914 Supplement B) – helpful but not required
- Police reports or correspondence with law enforcement
- Employment contracts or recruitment materials
- Pay stubs, logbooks, or other documents from the trafficking situation
- Affidavits from witnesses, case managers, or therapists
- Medical or psychological records
- Court documents or news articles
- Evidence of physical presence in the U.S. due to trafficking, such as:
- Passport, visa, and entry documents
- Statements from service providers documenting trauma impact
- Documentation showing ongoing need for services or support
- Evidence of cooperation with law enforcement
- Evidence of law enforcement cooperation (unless you qualify for an exemption due to age or trauma):
- Law enforcement declaration
- Email or letter correspondence with agencies
- Phone logs showing contact with authorities
- Court or trial records
- Evidence of extreme hardship if removed, including:
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical records
- Country condition reports
- Evidence that you would be ostracized, endangered, or unable to access necessary care
- Documentation of ties to your community in the U.S.
Q: Do I need to report my trafficker to law enforcement?
A: Generally yes, but there are important exceptions. You must show that you’ve contacted law enforcement and complied with reasonable requests for assistance. However, you’re exempt from this requirement if:
- You were under 18 when the trafficking occurred
- You’re unable to cooperate due to physical or psychological trauma
Q: What if my passport or visa was obtained through fraud by my trafficker?
A: This is common in labor trafficking cases. You can apply for a waiver (Form I-192) if the circumstances that make you inadmissible were caused by or related to your trafficking. We’ll document how the fraud was connected to your victimization.
Q: How long does the T visa process take?
A: Processing times vary, but USCIS conducts an initial review to determine if your application is “bona fide.” If approved at this stage, you may receive work authorization and deferred action while your full application is reviewed. The entire process can take 1-3 years.
Q: Can my family members get T visas too?
A: Yes. If you’re under 21, you can include your spouse, children, parents, and unmarried siblings under 18. If you’re 21 or older, you can include your spouse and children. In certain situations involving danger of retaliation, additional family members may qualify.
Q: What is considered “severe labor trafficking”?
A: Severe labor trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion for involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. This includes:
- Threats of serious harm (to you or your family)
- Physical restraint or violence
- Fraud about working conditions, wages, or immigration status
- Abuse of the legal process (threats of deportation, false criminal charges)
- Debt bondage or withholding wages
- Confiscation of identity documents
- Isolation or restriction of movement
Q: What if I signed a contract agreeing to the work conditions?
A: A contract doesn’t prevent you from being a trafficking victim if you were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion. Many trafficking victims initially agree to work under false pretenses, only to discover the true conditions later.
Q: Will applying for a T visa affect my current immigration status?
A: If you have pending removal proceedings, ICE may exercise prosecutorial discretion while USCIS reviews your application. If USCIS determines your application is bona fide, any final removal order is automatically stayed.
Q: How much does it cost to apply for a T visa?
A: There is no filing fee for the T visa application (Form I-914) or the waiver application (Form I-192). Fee waivers are also available for related applications if needed.
Q: What does “extreme hardship” mean?
A: You must show that removal would cause extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm. Factors include:
- Physical or psychological trauma requiring ongoing treatment unavailable in your home country
- Reasonable expectation of being penalized or ostracized for being a trafficking victim
- Likelihood of re-victimization
- Loss of access to U.S. courts for civil or criminal remedies
- Threats from traffickers or their associates
- Economic harm or inability to support yourself
👉 Schedule a Consultation or call us at (703) 829-5881 to discuss your eligibility and begin your path to permanent U.S. residency.
We have successfully processed these U.S. immigration matters for over 25 years. To schedule a consultation, you may email us at info@becapitallaw.com or call / text (703)966-0907. B&E Capital – Vassell Law Group, PC | http://www.vasselllaw.com | http://www.becapitallaw.com | Members of the American Immigration Lawyers (AILA).