PROTECTION & ADVOCACY
Safety, status, and a path forward.
Survivors of abuse, serious crime, and trafficking may have a path to safety and status of their own – through VAWA self-petitions, U visas, and T visas. A U visa lawyer who also handles VAWA and T cases, Onward Immigration treats this work with the discretion, patience, and care it deserves.
IS THIS YOU?
You may be in the right place if...
The self-petitioner
You were harmed by a U.S. citizen or resident spouse or parent, and you need a path that doesn’t depend on them.
The crime survivor
You were the victim of a serious crime in the U.S. and cooperated with the authorities, and you’ve heard there may be protection for you.
The trafficking survivor
You were brought to or kept in this country through force, fraud, or coercion, and you’re ready to seek safety and stability.
The cautious
You’re afraid that coming forward could put your status at risk, and you need to understand your options privately, first.
The Path Forward
How we build your case
I
Listen & assess
We start by understanding your situation in a safe, confidential conversation, and identify which protection – VAWA, U, or T – fits.
II
Build with care
We prepare your petition and the supporting record, including your statement, at a pace that respects what you’ve been through.
III
File & advocate
We file, track your case, and guide you through work authorization and the road toward permanent status.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Clear fees, complete discretion.
Every humanitarian case has a clear, agreed fee, set before we begin – handled with complete discretion. As a deliberately small firm, your case is held by one attorney from start to finish: someone who knows your story and protects it.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Humanitarian visa questions, answered.
What is a VAWA self-petition?
VAWA lets certain spouses, children, and parents who were abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident apply for status on their own – without the abuser’s knowledge or cooperation. It applies to people of any gender, and the process is confidential by law. We help you petition safely and independently.
What is a U visa, and do I have to involve the police?
The U visa protects victims of certain serious crimes who helped law enforcement. It generally requires a certification confirming your cooperation. You don’t have to pursue charges yourself, but some official cooperation is part of it. We guide you through obtaining the certification and building the rest of the case.
What kind of cases qualify for a U visa?
Qualifying crimes may include domestic violence, sexual assault, felonious assault, stalking, trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and similar criminal activity.
How can a U visa lawyer help me?
A U visa lawyer confirms your eligibility, guides you through the law-enforcement certification, and prepares your petition and personal statement at a pace that respects what you’ve been through.
What is a T visa for trafficking survivors?
The T visa is for people who were brought to or held in the U.S. through force, fraud, or coercion, for labor or commercial sex. It can lead to work authorization and, in time, permanent residence. Cooperation with authorities is generally expected, with exceptions. We assess your eligibility with care.
Will applying put me or my family at risk?
Applying for a U visa, T visa, or VAWA-based immigration protection was designed with survivor safety in mind, but no immigration filing is completely risk-free. These cases are protected by special confidentiality rules, and the abuser, trafficker, or person who harmed you is not supposed to be notified that you filed. Before filing, we carefully review your immigration history, family situation, safety concerns, and any possible risks. Your privacy and safety guide every step of the process.
Can I work or stay if my case is approved?
Approved VAWA, U, and T cases generally come with work authorization, and each can lead toward lawful permanent residence over time – sometimes for qualifying family members too. The exact path depends on the category. We map what status, work, and a green card look like for your situation.
How long will my case take?
It depends on the type. U and T visas are capped – USCIS grants only 10,000 U and 5,000 T visas a year, against hundreds of thousands of pending cases – so the honest answer is often years, sometimes a decade or more. That’s the system, not a problem with your case, and the caps don’t count your family members. VAWA and other matters move on different timelines; we’ll give you a realistic one for yours.
Where can I check my case status?
You can track any pending case with your receipt number through the USCIS Case Status Online tool at: egov.uscis.gov/casestatus. We also monitor your case and flag anything that needs a response, so nothing slips.
Ready to move onward?
Every journey begins with a conversation. Let’s talk about where you’re headed,
and how to get you there.