Green Card Applicant Who Escaped Human Traffickers Fears Deportation

As of July 2025, the landscape for green card applicants who have fled human traffickers has changed dramatically due to new policies and enforcement priorities in the United States 🇺🇸. These changes have created serious challenges for survivors of trafficking, especially those who fear deportation and are seeking protection or permanent residency. Below is a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and the implications for those with pending applications.

Summary of What Changed

Recent policy shifts under the current administration have made it much harder for trafficking survivors to find safety and legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. The most significant changes include:

• Plans to eliminate the U and T visa programs, which have long protected victims of human trafficking and violent crimes.
• A large increase in deportation efforts, with expanded detention capacity and lower standards for detention facilities.
• New restrictions and fees for asylum seekers, including the dismissal of many recent asylum cases and a halt to processing green card applications for many asylum winners.
• Stricter requirements for marriages used to obtain derivative status, affecting those who rely on marriage to qualify for immigration benefits.

These changes have left many green card applicants who escaped human traffickers in a very uncertain and risky situation.

Who Is Affected

The following groups are most directly affected by these policy changes:

• Victims of human trafficking who are applying for or currently hold T visas.
• Applicants for U visas, which are meant for victims of certain crimes who help law enforcement.
• Asylum seekers, especially those who filed their cases in the past two years or who are waiting for their green card applications to be processed.
• Family members of trafficking survivors who depend on derivative status through marriage or other relationships.
• Anyone with a pending green card application based on asylum or victim status.

Effective Dates

• The most significant changes began taking effect in May 2025, with new asylum fees and case dismissals.
• March 3, 2025: New rules for marriages used to claim derivative status became effective.
• The expansion of detention capacity and the push for mass deportations are ongoing and expected to continue through the rest of 2025.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are a green card applicant who fled human traffickers, or if you are helping someone in this situation, here are the immediate steps you should consider:

1. Check Your Current Status
   • If you have a T visa or U visa, confirm whether your status is still valid and if any new rules affect your eligibility.
   • If you are an asylum seeker, check the status of your case and whether it has been dismissed or is still pending.
2. File Applications Promptly
   • If you are eligible to apply for a T visa, U visa, or asylum, file as soon as possible. The future of these programs is uncertain, and delays could mean losing your chance to apply.
   • For T visa applications, use Form I-914 and include all required evidence.
   • For asylum applications, use Form I-589. Be prepared to pay the new $100 application fee and $100 annual maintenance fee.

1. Review Marriage Validity
   • If you are claiming derivative status through marriage, make sure your marriage is legally valid under local law. The new USCIS guidance requires this for all marriages used to obtain immigration benefits.
2. Seek Legal Help
   • The rules are changing quickly. It is very important to get advice from a lawyer who understands trafficking and immigration law. Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal help.
3. Monitor Official Updates
   • Regularly check the USCIS website for the latest information on visa programs, forms, and policy changes.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you already have a pending application for a green card, T visa, U visa, or asylum, here is what you need to know:

• T and U Visa Applicants: If these programs are eliminated, pending applications may be denied or not processed. This puts applicants at risk of deportation, even if they have cooperated with law enforcement or are eligible for permanent residency.
• Asylum Seekers: Many recent asylum cases are being dismissed, especially those filed in the last two years. If your case is dismissed, you may lose your chance to apply for a green card and could face removal from the United States 🇺🇸.
• Green Card Applicants Based on Asylum: The government has stopped processing many green card applications for people who won asylum, causing long delays or blocking their path to permanent residency.
• Derivative Applicants (Family Members): If your status depends on marriage or another family relationship, you must prove that the relationship is legally valid under local law. If you cannot, your application may be denied.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Policy Changes

1. Elimination of U and T Visas

The administration’s support for “Project 2025” includes plans to end the U and T visa programs. These visas have been a lifeline for trafficking survivors, allowing them to stay in the United States 🇺🇸, work legally, and eventually apply for a green card. Without these visas:

• Survivors lose protection from deportation.
• Law enforcement may have a harder time investigating and prosecuting traffickers, as victims may be too afraid to come forward.
• Many survivors with pending green card applications could be forced to leave the country.

2. Expanded Deportation and Detention

The government is expanding ICE detention capacity to 100,000 beds, including the use of tents and camps with lower standards. This means:

• More people, including trafficking survivors without secure status, may be detained in harsh conditions.
• Detention facilities may not meet basic health and safety standards, raising concerns about human rights abuses.
• Survivors who fear returning to their home countries may be deported quickly, with little chance to appeal.

3. Asylum System Restrictions

Since May 2025, the government has:

• Dismissed many asylum cases, especially those filed in the last two years.
• Introduced a $100 fee to apply for asylum and a $100 annual fee to keep the case active.
• Stopped processing green card applications for many people who won asylum, leaving them in limbo.
• Banned asylum applications at the border, forcing people to enter the United States 🇺🇸 before they can apply, which is especially hard for trafficking victims who often arrive at or near borders.

4. Stricter Marriage Requirements

As of March 3, 2025, USCIS requires all marriages used for derivative status to be legally valid under local law. This affects:

• Trafficking survivors who married to gain protection or bring family members.
• Applicants who cannot prove the legal validity of their marriage may lose their chance at a green card or other benefits.

Step-by-Step Process for Trafficking Victims Seeking Protection and Green Cards

Here’s a simplified guide for survivors of human trafficking who are trying to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 and get a green card:

1. Filing for a T Visa (if still available)
– Complete Form I-914.
– Provide evidence that you were a victim of trafficking and that you have helped law enforcement.
– If approved, you get temporary status and work authorization.

2. Applying for a Green Card (Adjustment of Status)
– After three years on a T visa, you can apply for a green card using Form I-485.
– Make sure any family members applying with you meet the new marriage validity rules.

3. Applying for Asylum
– File Form I-589 within one year of arriving in the United States 🇺🇸 (some exceptions apply).
– Pay the $100 application fee and $100 annual fee.
– Attend interviews and provide evidence of your fear of returning home.
– Be aware that many cases are now dismissed early, and the process is more difficult.

4. Getting Legal Help
– Contact a lawyer or legal aid group with experience in trafficking and immigration cases.
– Use the National Immigration Legal Services Directory to find help.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

Human Rights Advocates warn that ending the U and T visa programs will leave trafficking survivors with no safe options and make it harder for law enforcement to catch traffickers. The Women’s Refugee Commission and other groups say these changes put lives at risk and undermine years of progress in protecting victims.

Immigration Legal Experts point out that the new asylum fees and case dismissals make it almost impossible for poor and vulnerable people, including trafficking survivors, to get protection or a green card. Many will be forced to live in fear or face deportation.

Government Officials argue that these policies are needed to enforce immigration laws and protect the country’s borders. They say resources are limited and that stricter rules are necessary for national security.

Background and Historical Context

The U and T visa programs were created in the early 2000s to help victims of crimes and trafficking. These programs allowed survivors to help police without worrying about being deported. Over the years, these visas have helped thousands of people find safety and build new lives in the United States 🇺🇸.

Previous administrations expanded protections for asylum seekers and refugees, but the current administration has reversed many of these policies, focusing instead on enforcement and deportation.

Future Outlook and What to Watch For

• Lawsuits and Legal Challenges: Several court cases are trying to stop the elimination of victim visas and the new asylum restrictions. The outcome of these cases could restore some protections, but it may take time.
• Advocacy and Congressional Action: Many groups are pushing Congress to bring back the U and T visas and make it easier for trafficking survivors to get help. New laws may be needed to undo some of the recent changes.
• Continued Enforcement: The government is expected to keep expanding deportation and detention efforts, making it even harder for survivors without secure status to stay in the United States 🇺🇸.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): For the latest information on T visas, asylum, and green card applications, visit uscis.gov.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): For updates on enforcement and detention policies, visit dhs.gov.
• National Immigration Legal Services Directory: Find legal help for trafficking and asylum cases at immigrationadvocates.org.
• Women’s Refugee Commission: Advocacy and resources for trafficking survivors at womensrefugeecommission.org.

Key Takeaways and Immediate Next Steps

• Act quickly: If you are eligible for a T visa, U visa, or asylum, apply as soon as possible before further changes take effect.
• Get legal help: The rules are complex and changing fast. A qualified lawyer can help you understand your options and avoid mistakes that could lead to deportation.
• Stay informed: Check official government websites regularly for updates on visa programs, forms, and policy changes.
• Prepare for delays and uncertainty: Processing times are longer, and many applications are being dismissed or delayed.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current policy environment has created serious risks for green card applicants who have fled human traffickers. The elimination of key visa programs, increased deportation efforts, and new barriers to asylum mean that survivors must act quickly and carefully to protect their rights and safety.

For the most up-to-date information on T visas, asylum, and green card applications, visit the official USCIS website. If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, seek legal help right away and stay alert for new developments that could affect your case.

Learn Today

U Visa → A visa for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement to obtain legal status.
T Visa → A visa protecting human trafficking victims, offering legal stay and work permissions in the U.S.
Asylum → Protection granted to individuals fearing persecution in their home countries, allowing legal U.S. residence.
Derivative Status → Immigration status granted to family members based on another applicant’s visa or residency.
Form I-914 → USCIS form used for applying for a T visa by trafficking survivors.

This Article in a Nutshell

Green card applicants fleeing trafficking face rising deportation risks due to U and T visa eliminations, expanded detention, and stricter asylum policies, requiring urgent legal action and awareness to protect rights amid 2025 policy shifts.
— By VisaVerge.com