The U Visa for Immigrant Victims of Violent Crime: What Social Workers Need to Know

Midwestern Service Provider Narratives of Migrant Experiences: Legibility, Vulnerability, and Exploitation in Human Trafficking

“…In order to address the specific vulnerabilities to exploitation identified by our interview respondents, systemic and community issues that affect exploitation must be addressed. This includes access to services, social and economic inequality, citizenship status, transportation, and language, and is reflective in other literature related to trafficking risks as well (Baker, 2013;Berg, 2015;Lutnick, 2016;Okech et al, 2017;Todres, 2011;Warren, 2016). Collaboration between service providers is also important.…”

“…Social workers can fine tune assessment strategies and expand referral options for quality education, transportation, medical care, and mental health services. They can also advocate for policy changes to support migrant populations and create sustainable migration reform Participants referred to assisting clients with obtaining U Visas, which are available to survivors of violent crimes (including certain forms of trafficking) who work with law enforcement to investigate or prosecute offenders (Warren, 2016), yet the T Visa is another tool to assist immigrants. The T Visa, which makes it possible for survivors of human trafficking to obtain legal residency if they cooperate with law enforcement to investigate or prosecute their traffickers, can be transformative for clients if social workers understand the procedure and collaborate to develop accessible processes in their communities.…”

“…The T Visa has the potential to reframe victimization into a more positive opportunity by allowing trafficked survivors, who are in the United States as a result of being trafficked, to eventually gain legal residency, and then U.S. citizenship. As Warren (2016) recommended with regard to the U Visa, in order for the T Visa to be fully realized, Congress must mandate nationwide training to develop consistent procedures to enable clients to access these visas. Social workers and other social service professionals cannot wait for a governmental revision to include the funding required to fill this need.…”