Description
For those of you who missed our October 2025, conference on "Supporting Survivors of Trafficking in 2025: Comparing Protections of the T & U Visas," the session recordings are now available for purchase. This online training is composed of five separate sessions. You can buy all five sessions together and save $100 or buy individual sessions.
This two-day conference, presented by ASISTA attorneys and a stellar panel of national experts, provides a deep dive into the immigration options for survivors of human trafficking in 2025. With a particular focus on comparing and contrasting the U and T visa paths, presenters examined the elements and benefits of relief and relevant waivers of inadmissibility. Along the way, they discussed ancillary benefits, the impacts of the 2024 T visa regulations after one year of implementation, and various hot topics in the practice. Understanding the high-enforcement environment we are in, presenters focused special attention to claims that involve criminal activity, and options for survivors being targeted for removal or who are subject to a final order.
This two-day conference is intended for intermediate attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives who have experience or interest in working with immigrant survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, labor offenses, or other crimes that may constitute human trafficking.
Session 1: What are the T and U Visas? For that Matter, What is Trafficking? (2 hrs.)
In Session One we set the stage for the rest of the conference by reviewing the requirements and processes for T and U visas—and their accompanying adjustment of status options—as clarified by the 2024 T visa regulations. We then zoom in specifically on the definition of trafficking that survivors must meet for each visa type. Participants will practice identifying which fact patterns involving poor working conditions, domestic abuse, and other common bad acts do and do not satisfy USCIS’s definition of trafficking.
Speakers:
- Stephanie Martinez, Supervising Attorney, NWIRP
- Lia Ocasio, Staff Attorney, ASISTA
Session 2: Inadmissible Survivors (2 hrs.)
In this session, we will focus on inadmissible survivors of human trafficking. We will cover how the waiver standards differ and overlap for T and U visas—and adjudication trends you need to know. Because the waivers are arguably the only discretionary aspect of a T or U visa application, we will also discuss the impact of USCIS’s new discretion policy and practices.
Speakers:
- Nicole Avila, Supervisory Attorney, Florida Legal Services
- Hilary Chadwick, Associate Attorney, Scott D. Pollock & Associates
- Kelly Byrne, Staff Attorney, ASISTA
Session 3: Smuggling Turned Trafficking and Forced Criminality (1.5 hrs.)
In the course of their trafficking or its aftermath, survivors are commonly forced into criminal acts that would otherwise make it challenging to obtain lawful status. They may also turn to unlawful means of coping with the effects of their victimization. In this session we will tackle how to handle criminal acts, allegations, or convictions, and will pay special attention to scenarios where the survivor was compelled into certain acts or labor during the course of being smuggled into the U.S.
Speakers:
- Ashwini Jaisingh, Senior Immigration Attorney, UMD SAFE Center
- Lia Ocasio, Staff Attorney, ASISTA
Session 4: Presence on Account of Trafficking (1 hr.)
This session will delve deep into the ways to meet the unique and sometimes decisive T visa element of presence on account of trafficking. It will review ways to meet the requirement even years after the trafficking or after departures, including the changes in the 2024 T visa regulations.
Speakers:
- Stephanie Morales, Owner and Managing Attorney, Morales Law PLLC
- Heather Ziemba, Anti-Trafficking Project Attorney, ASISTA
Session 5: Trafficking Survivors Facing Enforcement (1.5 hrs.)
Trafficking survivors cannot currently expect favorable treatment from ICE or adjudicators as a matter of course. Yet various legal authorities and maneuvers exist to ensure they are afforded at least some access to protections and relief from removal. In this session we review those authorities and relevant recent litigation to equip attendees to best protect our clients facing potential enforcement actions or removal proceedings.
Speakers:
- Hila Moss, Owner/Attorney, Hila Moss Law Firm
- Cristina Velez, Legal & Policy Director, ASISTA
Disclaimer: Content is current as of date of recording. It is your responsibility to ensure content is up to date. Written materials accompany the webinar. Please note that you will not receive CLE credit for watching the recording.
