Immigration Lawyer Chicago/ Immigration Forms for U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, and Admission/ Form I-914 for Victims of Human Trafficking
If you have been or are a victim of human trafficking, you are eligible for temporary nonimmigrant status. Apply for immigrant benefits to find safety in the United States and protection from your abuser. Find out what Form I-914 is and how to complete your application for T nonimmigrant status in this article.
Form I-914 is the official document you must complete and submit to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when applying for T nonimmigrant status. You are entitled to the same benefits as other immigrants since you have been a victim of human trafficking.
Form I-914 is used to protect and assist victims of human trafficking. Additionally, the form encourages collaboration with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those who operate human trafficking rings.
Human trafficking occurs when sex is commercialized based on:
Human trafficking also included harboring and recruiting persons into slavery and servitude.
Escaping human trafficking is possible, especially with the right people’s help. Law enforcement officers can assist you in leaving and surviving your abusers. Do not allow your abuser to utilize your immigration status or any other type of debt over your head. Applying for the T nonimmigrant visa is a powerful way to break free from victimhood. You do not deserve the abuse you are forced and coerced to endure. Call 911 and the attorneys at our law office today.
If you are applying for or have been approved for T Nonimmigrant Status, you may submit Form I-914 Supplement A, Application for Family Member of T-1 Recipient.
I-914 Supplement A is an optional additional form you can file alongside or after the Form I-914.
If you and your family member are both eligible, you file the immigration form on their behalf.
According to the USCIS, you may file Form I-914, Supplement A if you are:
Being a victim of human trafficking can permanently change both your life and the lives of your loved ones forever. If you are in a situation where you are eligible to bring over your loved ones, talk to your immigration attorney about filling out Supplement A.
Supplement B, Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for Victim of Trafficking in Persons is the form that law enforcement officials will fill out to show evidence of your victimization in human trafficking.
This form is optional, yet is recommended to provide a credible piece of evidence of the trials a victim has endured. The officer can provide proof of their involvement in your human trafficking case, including, hopefully, the abuser’s persecution.
Any federal, state, local, or tribal authority can process this form. When the officer has finished filling out the form, you will receive it to turn in the form.
The instructions and filing tips for Form I-914 are provided below. The entire form is 12 pages long and divided into 9 sections.
In general, make sure that each section is filled out legibly and in black ink. It is also necessary to sign your form; USCIS will reject any form that is not signed.
USCIS officials must complete the right side of the first page. Do not write in this section.
In Part 1, you will check whether you are filing for T-1 nonimmigrant status for the first time or if you have previously filed. If you have filed in the past, write your EAC receipt number.
Part 2 is general information about your identity. You will include your legal name and physical address, and any other names you use.
USCIS provides a space to write in your safe mailing address. This will allow USCIS to communicate with you regarding your status without compromising your safety. When filing with Scott D. Pollock & Associates P.C, you can use our mailing address.
Further down the I-914 form, you will include the following:
Your eligibility for T-nonimmigrant status is a question in Part 3. Here, you state whether you have cooperated with law enforcement and whether you have been a victim of a “severe form of trafficking in persons.” There is also a question about exemptions from cooperating with law enforcement. Ask your immigration lawyer any questions you may have about this section.
You will also provide more details about your victimization, including if you are physically present in the U.S. and if you fear that leaving your current situation will put you in danger or cause you hardship.
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD), for which you must submit Form I-765, may be requested here. You are eligible to work once you have T-nonimmigrant status and an EAD.
Part 4 of Form I-914 asks you questions about your past. They are mostly questions about committing any crimes. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you must provide an explanation. For example, some of the questions include:
Due to the potential for triggering traumatizing memories, these questions can be challenging to answer. Talk to the attorneys at our law firm for assistance filling out your Form I-914.
In this section, you will provide information about your family members like your spouse and children.
In part 6, you will write your statement, contact information, declaration, certification, and signature. Make sure you sign and date your I-914 form. This is one of the most important steps in completing your Form I-914.
If you used an interpreter, you would provide their name, mailing address, and contact information in Part 7. They will also need to sign and date the document.
Similar to Part 7, Part 8 includes the information of any preparer’s form other than the applicant. For example, Part 8 is where your immigration attorney will sign the form.
If you need to write in any additional information, you will do so in Part 9 of your I-914 form.
You must demonstrate that you are a victim of human trafficking to be eligible for T-nonimmigrant status. If you indicated a spot on your Form I-914 that explicitly requested evidence, be sure to provide that information. It’s important only to include copies of documents unless USCIS specifically requests.
The following are forms of evidence to submit along with your Form I-914:
Check with your immigration attorney before submitting your Form I-914. We will review all forms of evidence before USCIS processes your application.
When you have finished completing and signing Form I-914, send your application along with all of the required evidence to the following address:
Vermont Service Center
38 River Rd.
Essex Junction, VT 05479-0001
Your immigration attorney will review your entire application before submitting it. Contact us today if you have any questions about submitting your documents.
Historic processing times for Form I-914 are between 10 to 19 months. You will first submit your Form I-914 to USCIS. They will then send you a receipt notice called Form I-979C. USCIS will send your processed application to the National Visa Center (NVC). The timeline varies, especially now since USCIS is experiencing delays due to backlogs.
You can chase your case status online through the USCIS case status tool. Simply enter your receipt number into the link and press “check status.”
Learn more about NVC processing times here.
If you are filling out Form I-914, you do not owe any filing fee or biometric service fee to USCIS. You may be required to take a biometrics exam, but unlike most immigration forms, you will not be charged for it.
Human trafficking is one of the most detrimental, frightening situations to experience. It is a form of imprisonment that you do not deserve. If you are imprisoned, the immigration attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates P.C. are here to help you. We will ensure you get to safety and find a recluse in the United States.
Filling out immigration forms can be a lengthy, confusing process. Our immigration visa and green card lawyers have over 70 years of combined experience and are here to ensure that your process of finding safety from victimization is handled correctly.
Please contact us immediately if you have any questions about filling out Form I-914, need Form I-914 explained, or have any other immigration inquiries.
Call us today at 312.444.1940 or fill out an online form. We look forward to hearing from you!