USCIS: Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking exists today in every country and in every state in our nation. It exists in cities, suburbs, and rural areas – hidden in plain sight. Traffickers often lure victims with false promises of a better life only to exploit them through forced labor or commercial sex.

At U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, we contribute to the Department of Homeland Security’s effort to combat human trafficking by providing immigration relief for victims. USCIS helps protect victims by offering visas for them to stay legally in the United States while assisting law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the trafficker. This video shares the stories of two human trafficking victims who were able to rebuild their lives because of this form of immigration relief. 

From 2000 to 2012, USCIS processed and approved more than 3,000 T visa applications for victims of human trafficking, and we have seen an increase in the number of these applications in recent years.  But we still need your help reaching victims who often are too afraid to step forward and ask for help.

To learn more about immigration relief for victims and how to assist victims and law enforcement, please visit our website. For law enforcement entities or service providers seeking information about training on the forms of immigration relief offered to victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other crimes, or to register for upcoming community training sessions, please email T-UVAWATraining@dhs.gov.
 

You can also learn more through the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign unites DHS’s efforts to combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, training, victim assistance, and law enforcement investigations.

If you suspect human trafficking, call the Homeland Security Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or complete our online tip form.

We urge you to join our effort to combat human trafficking.