Introduction
Meet Joel*, a survivor of human trafficking whose resilience and courage exemplify the strength of the human spirit. Joel’s journey began when, at just 14 years old, he was brought to the United States under the pretense of receiving a better life—education, security, and a future with family friends. Instead, Joel faced two years of unimaginable abuse, forced labor, and deprivation of basic human rights.
The Struggles and turning point
During this time, Joel fell through the cracks of the system. Despite meeting with caseworkers and legal nonprofits on multiple occasions, no one recognized that Joel needed help; or that he had a pending immigration case against him.
Fortunately, Joel escaped his trafficker. And, despite ongoing threats to him and his family, he has spent the last two years bravely working with detectives to prosecute his trafficker.
When Joel came to us for help with his legal case in 2022, we discovered something critical: a deportation order had been issued against him in absentia. Unbeknownst to him, he had missed the opportunity to attend the hearing.
Kodem Law’s Intervention
At Kodem Law, we knew Joel had legal avenues available to him if we could reopen his case and submit a motion to rescind his order of deportation. As a victim of human trafficking, he was eligible for a U or T visa. A U Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain crimes who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement, whereas a T visa allows victims of human trafficking to gain nonimmigrant status for four years.
Kodem Law has fought tirelessly to reopen his case, apply for the appropriate visa, and appeal his deportation order.
This November, Joel received incredible news. After years of hard work, his case was reopened, and his deportation order was successfully rescinded. USCIS also found that he had a bona fide case for his T-visa petition.
While there is still more work to be done, we are overjoyed for Joel and remain optimistic about the future of his U and T visa applications. Thank you for trusting us, Joel. Our Asylum and Humanitarian Division at Kodem Law is deeply honored to have been part of your journey, and we look forward to continuing our mission to help others in similar situations.
Need Guidance on Immigration Relief?
If you or a loved one is exploring options for immigration relief, including U Visa, T Visa, VAWA, or asylum, our team is here to help. We offer personalized guidance to help you understand your rights and potential pathways to relief.
Feel free to reach out to us at: asylum@kodemlaw.com or 888-955-6634
We are here to support you through every step of the process.
*Joel’s name has been changed to protect his or her anonymity.
