T Visa Attorneys in Greensboro & High Point
Trafficking thrives on silence. In the Triad, survivors often feel invisible, even when they live and work in plain sight. If you or someone you care about has been forced, threatened, or coerced into labor or commercial sex, federal law offers a lifeline called T nonimmigrant status, often referred to as the T visa. Our team at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law, helps survivors—and victims of trafficking—in Greensboro, High Point, and across North Carolina use that law to regain safety, stability, and control.
We practice with care, precision, and urgency. You do not have to carry this alone.
Serving Survivors Across Greensboro, High Point, and North Carolina
Human trafficking and fraud are not only big-city issues. It touches agricultural sites along Highway 68, hotels by I-40 and I-85, restaurants, construction sites, nail salons, in-home caregiving, and private residences throughout the Piedmont Triad. It can affect U.S. citizens and noncitizens. It harms adults and children. It crosses all backgrounds.
Our immigration team works side by side with criminal defense, family law, and victim-support partners to protect clients. That integrated approach matters when safety, immigration status, and potential cooperation with law enforcement overlap.
One call starts a confidential plan.
What T Status Is and Why It Matters
T nonimmigrant status, often called the T visa, protects people who suffered a severe form of human trafficking and are in the United States on account of that trafficking. It also supports reasonable cooperation with an investigation or prosecution, when safe to do so. Approved applicants gain lawful status for up to four years, a work permit, and a path to permanent residence.
It is designed for survivors, not perpetrators. It recognizes trauma. It meets people where they are.
The T visa is designed to empower victims and survivors to rebuild their lives and reclaim control. T status offers practical benefits that change daily life for the better.
- Work authorization and a Social Security number
- Protection from removal while the case is pending
- Access to certain federally funded services for certified victims
- The ability to include qualifying family members
- A path to a green card after meeting requirements
Our Greensboro and High Point offices build cases that reflect each client’s story, using evidence that federal agencies find persuasive.
Who Qualifies: The Legal Elements in Plain Language
USCIS looks for several core elements. You must show that you:
- Were a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons
- Are in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or at a port of entry on account of trafficking
- Complied with reasonable requests for assistance in a trafficking investigation or prosecution, unless under 18 or unable due to trauma
- Would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States
- Are admissible or qualify for a waiver
Remember that applying for a T visa can be your lifeline. The words severe and reasonable carry specific legal meaning. Proof can come from many sources, not just a police report.
Eligibility and Proof: A Practical Snapshot
The table below summarizes what each requirement means in practice and the kinds of documents that often help. Your case may rely on different proofs, and you do not need every item listed.
| Requirement | What it means in everyday terms | Examples of helpful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Severe form of trafficking | Someone used force, fraud, or coercion to make you work or engage in commercial sex; minors in commercial sex qualify without proving force | Statements, text messages, ads, pay records, shelter letters, medical or mental health notes, photos of injuries, affidavits from witnesses |
| Present in the U.S. on account of trafficking | Your current presence ties back to the trafficking, escape, or recovery process. Documents supporting your T visa claim may include a timeline of events that underpins your case. | Timeline of events, travel records, shelter intakes, case manager letters, proof of ongoing medical or legal needs |
| Reasonable cooperation | You responded to safe and reasonable requests from police or prosecutors, unless you qualify for an exception | Emails or letters with a detective or prosecutor, case numbers, victim advocate notes, explanation of safety risks |
| Extreme hardship if removed | Removal would create serious, unusual harm beyond typical difficulties | Country condition reports, medical diagnoses, therapy records, family ties, safety threats, risk of retaliation |
| Admissible or waiver available | You meet entry rules or USCIS grants a waiver tailored for trafficking survivors | Form I-192 waiver filings, evidence showing humanitarian reasons or public interest |
One key point: a formal law enforcement certification helps but is not required for T status. That differs from the U visa.
How T Status Compares to Other Paths
People often ask whether T status or another option fits their situation. We evaluate every angle, including overlap with a U visa or asylum claims. Each carries different rules, timelines, and proof.
When comparing your options, the T visa stands out as a safe harbor for those affected by trafficking. Here is a quick snapshot to frame the conversation:
- T nonimmigrant status: Focuses on trafficking survivors; no law enforcement certification required; cooperation must be reasonable and safe. Remember that the T visa is not only a status but also a documented guide for recovery.
- U nonimmigrant status: Covers victims of certain crimes; law enforcement certification required; long wait because of the annual cap.
- Continued Presence: A temporary tool through federal law enforcement for immediate safety; not a long-term status.
You do not have to guess which route works best. We can help you choose a strategy that protects you now and positions you well for the future.
T Visa: The Process With Our Firm
Our work begins with safety. We coordinate with trusted local advocates in Greensboro and High Point, including shelters and counseling providers, to secure immediate needs while we shape the legal plan. If you are not yet safe, we address that first.
Next, we gather facts with care. You talk only when ready. We can use interpreters. Trauma-informed interviews allow you to share at your pace and in your words.
Our comprehensive guide to navigating the T visa process ensures every step is carefully managed. We then prepare and file the core application: Form I-914 for the principal applicant and, if needed, Form I-914A for eligible family members. T principal applications have no filing fee. If other forms are needed, we’ll explain costs and fee waivers that may apply.
After filing, USCIS may schedule biometrics and can issue requests for evidence. We respond promptly and keep you informed at each step. If you are asked to meet with law enforcement in Greensboro, High Point, or elsewhere, we prepare you and, when appropriate, coordinate with the relevant agency.
Timelines, Work Authorization, and Life While You Wait
T cases typically take many months to resolve. Processing times vary from case to case and can extend well past a year. Delays often tie to the need for thorough review, not a flaw or suspicion of fraud in your story.
Throughout the T visa application process, timely updates are crucial. Work authorization for T-1 principals is incident to status when approved. Derivative family members can request their own work permits. While waiting, some survivors qualify for federally funded case management and services through the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
You will have questions about travel, driver’s licenses, and financial stability. We address those one by one, with practical steps tied to North Carolina agencies and policies.
Cooperation With Law Enforcement in the Triad
Many clients are nervous about speaking with police or prosecutors. That is completely understandable. The law asks only for reasonable cooperation, which is shaped by safety and trauma.
Our attorneys have experience coordinating with:
- Greensboro Police Department and victim advocates
- High Point Police Department
- Guilford County authorities and federal partners when appropriate
We prepare you before any contact, attend meetings when allowed, and help you set boundaries. If cooperation puts you in danger, we document why an exception applies.
Remember, a T case does not require a law enforcement certification. Your voice, corroborated by reliable evidence, can be enough.
Protecting Your Family
T status recognizes that traffickers often threaten children, spouses, and parents. Depending on your age at the time of filing, you may be able to include:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents and unmarried siblings under 18, if the principal was under 21 at filing
- Parents of some adult principals if the trafficker presents a present danger of retaliation, under specific rules
A successful T visa application often extends its protection to your entire family. Family members abroad can go through consular processing once the principal is approved. Timelines differ by embassy and security checks. We handle coordination and prepare families for each step.
Green Card Options After T Status
Many T recipients can apply for permanent residence after meeting physical presence and cooperation requirements. Most must show three years of continuous physical presence in T status or presence for the duration of an investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. Good moral character and ongoing admissibility still apply.
Your T visa status can be a stepping stone toward permanent residence and a promising future. Early planning helps. We structure your T case so the future green card filing rests on solid ground, reducing surprises later.
Costs, Fees, and Funding Options
Form I-914 has no filing fee. Work permits for derivatives and some related filings can carry fees, but fee waivers exist for those with limited means. We provide clear, written fee agreements for legal services and suggest documentation to support any fee waiver requests.
Survivors may also qualify for support from non-profit partners, which can cover essentials like counseling, medical care, or housing. We maintain referral pathways with respected providers in Greensboro, High Point, and across North Carolina.
Why Local Counsel Matters for T Cases
T cases turn on trust, detail, and coordination, especially when addressing potential fraud. A nearby team can meet in person, attend sensitive interviews, and connect you with trusted community resources.
- Strategic case building rooted in federal law and local practice
- Trauma-informed interviewing and evidence gathering
- Coordination with local service providers
- Careful preparation for any law enforcement contact
- Ongoing support through adjustment of status
Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson brings a full-service platform. Immigration lawyers work shoulder to shoulder with criminal defense, family law, and civil litigators, which is vital when safety planning and legal issues overlap.
Common Questions We Hear
Do I need a police report
Helpful, but not required. We can use many other forms of evidence to show what happened.
Can I apply if I left the trafficker months ago
Yes, if your current presence in the United States connects to the trafficking or the recovery process. We help you explain that link.
Will my employer or trafficker find out
We treat your case as confidential. Information sharing with law enforcement happens only with your informed consent or when legally required, and we plan for safety first.
What if I was charged with a crime because of the trafficking
T law recognizes that survivors may have been forced into illegal acts. A waiver may be available. Our criminal defense team coordinates closely with immigration counsel to reduce risks.
I am outside the United States
T status generally requires presence in the United States or at a port of entry on account of trafficking. Derivative family members abroad can often be processed after the principal is approved. We can review options tailored to your location.
Many victims often ask how the T visa differs from other visas, and we offer clear, empathetic answers.
Documents That Often Help
When you are ready, we build your case file with care. You may already have more proof than you think in day-to-day items.
- Medical or counseling notes
- Pay stubs, schedules, or wire transfers
- Photos, messages, or social media posts
- Letters from shelters, churches, schools, or neighbors
- News stories, country reports, or expert statements
You do not need to collect everything at once. We organize the process, explain why each item matters, and protect your privacy.
Getting Started With Our Team
First, we listen. Then we act quickly to protect you and build a strong, well-documented filing. Expect clear timelines, direct communication, and honest advice.
- Confidential consultation: We assess safety, legal options, and immediate needs.
- Evidence planning: We create a step-by-step plan to gather proof without risking harm.
- Filing strategy: We decide which forms to submit now and which to stage for later phases.
- Ongoing advocacy: We keep in touch with USCIS, coordinate with service providers, and prepare for any interviews or requests.
Our comprehensive guide to the T visa process is tailored to each individual’s circumstances. Whether you are in Greensboro near downtown courts, in High Point along Main Street, or elsewhere in North Carolina, help is within reach. A single conversation can change the direction of your case.
Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law, stands ready to support survivors and victims with care and precision. Contact our immigration team to schedule a confidential consultation. We are here for you, for your family, and to guide you through every step of the T visa journey.