Serving Survivors
“Yasmine"* came to the United States from a Caribbean country after being recruited under false promises from a labor broker. The broker promised Yasmine a good wage and decent living conditions if she would move to the U.S. to be a domestic worker for a family. That family secured Yasmine a working visa for her travel here. However, upon arriving in the U.S., Yasmine was not paid the agreed upon wage or given humane living conditions. Quite the opposite: her employers paid her less than half of the promised wage, and Yasmine was given no personal space except a bed in the kitchen.
When Yasmine requested to be paid the promised amount and given better working conditions, the family refused and threatened to revoke her visa. Fortunately, a government employee investigated the situation and Yasmine was removed from the home. Yasmine has since been cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation of her traffickers, working to ensure they cannot abuse anyone else.
Eventually, Yasmine made contact with VLJ, and through our Human Trafficking Program, Yasmine's case was placed with volunteer attorneys at a private law firm; the volunteer attorneys worked with Yasmine over several months in 2021 to prepare a T Visa petition. The T Visa was granted in June 2022, ensuring that Yasmine can remain in the United States to continue assisting the investigation, receive the trafficking-related services and support she needs to recover, and build a life that is free from exploitation and abuse.
*Client's name has been changed to protect and ensure their privacy