Asylum And Other Humanitarian Protections

U and T visas for victims of crime, human trafficking and forced labor:  We fight every day to protect our people from these abuses. If you have been a victim of crimes or mistreatment by an unscrupulous employer, or even the coyote himself, there may be a visa for you and even the possibility of obtaining a “Green Card.”

Temporary Protected Status (TPS): The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) if conditions there temporarily prevent the safe return of its citizens, or when the country cannot adequately handle the return of its citizens. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible citizens of certain countries (or regions within those countries), who are already in the United States. People without nationality, but whose last habitual residence was in the designated country, may also be covered by TPS.

Political Asylum, Suspension of Expulsion, Convention Against Torture (CAT): Every year, people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear persecution due to:

• Your racial or ethnic origin
• Your religious beliefs
• Your national origin
• who belong to a particular social group
• Your political opinion

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain individuals who came to the United States as children and who meet certain guidelines may be considered for deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for a work permit. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to postpone removal proceedings against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide legal status.

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