Episode Description
From Shankar & Associates PC - New York T Visa Immigration Lawyer explores how the T visa created under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) provides safety and legal protection for survivors of human trafficking. This episode explains how victims of labor trafficking and sex trafficking may remain in the United States through protections codified in INA Section 101(a)(15)(T) and 22 U.S.C. § 7102, and why these protections are especially important for communities across New York, Long Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.
Attorney Rajat Shankar of Shankar & Associates PC shares insights shaped by his own immigration journey and his work helping immigrants navigate complex cases before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Listeners learn how survivors can apply for protection using Form I-914, how Form I-914 Supplement B from law enforcement can strengthen an application, and how the “any credible evidence” standard allows applicants to submit police reports, personal statements, medical records, and documentation from advocates or social workers.
The episode also explains the practical benefits of T visa status, including eligibility for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), protection from removal, and access to support programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The discussion also covers derivative visas for family members using Form I-914 Supplement A, the role of Bona Fide Determination (BFD) during USCIS processing, and how applicants may eventually pursue permanent residence through Form I-485 and waivers such as Form I-601.
Finally, the conversation highlights the path from T visa protection to a green card and what applicants can do if their case is denied, including options through the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or alternative immigration relief. Drawing on experience serving clients throughout Plainview, Nassau County, and Long Island, Rajat Shankar discusses how awareness of resources like the National Human Trafficking Hotline and efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice can help trafficking survivors take the first step toward stability and lawful status in the United States.
Shankar & Associates PC
518 Plainview Rd, Plainview, NY 11803, United States
(800) 461-1467