IMMIGRATION OPTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING: An Introduction to U & T Visas
Co-Sponsored by Tahirih Justice Center and Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Violence against women and girls is still a cruel global reality. Right now, one out of every three women in the world is a survivor of gender-based violence or abuse. These women and girls need your help! This is why the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland and the Tahirih Justice Center joined forces to recruit, train and engage volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono legal assistance to these survivors.
We invite you to join the Tahirih Justice Center in our efforts to overcome gender-based violence and to achieve justice for women and girls fleeing violence. Through a combination of legal services, advocacy, and public education programs, Tahirih seeks to ensure the protection and safety of its clients, as well as their long-term well-being by raising their voices in the public policy arena, engaging in public education efforts, and, ultimately, creating lasting legal and social change.
To maximize the number of women and girls we can serve, Tahirih works closely with its pro bono attorneys through formal co-counsel agreements,ongoing training, and continued mentorship. Each pro bono team is assigned a Tahirih staff attorney mentor who is available to assist at every step of the process including responding to questions or assisting in witness preparation. An online e-forum contains sample applications, declarations and up to date training manuals while a monthly newsletter keeps our volunteer attorneys informed of recent changes in the law. Additionally, our holistic case management approach ensures that clients’ non-legal needs are met and attorneys can focus on their legal representation.
ATTORNEY TRAINING
This training class offered by the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland and Tahirih Justice Center is FREE in exchange for a pro bono commitment. Specifically, volunteer attorneys must accept one pro bono case from Tahirih Justice Center. Tahirih will provide malpractice insurance for your pro bono case. To complete one case, we estimate the following time commitments: U visa, 20-40 hours; T visa, 30-70 hours; Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Petitions, 20-40 hours; Affirmative Asylum, 60-100 hours; Defensive Asylum, 100-150 hours.
The training will cover:
- U visa applications for victims of violent crimes/T visa applications for victims of Human Trafficking (Sex and Labor)
- Client counseling/interviewing skills & tips on how best to work with survivors of violence
Attorneys can receive this free training via webcast. To participate, complete the Immigration Options Training Registration Form and submit it to the Pro Bono Resource Center by clicking the “Submit Form” button in the upper right corner. You may also send your registration by email, fax or regular mail. If you are not contacted by the Pro Bono Resource Center within five business days of submission, please contact PBRC to confirm receipt of your registration form.
All registration forms should be returned to the Pro Bono Resource Center by email, fax or regular mail.
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
520 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
phone: 410-837-9379; 800-396-1274
fax: 410-385-2616
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For more information, contact Kiah Elmore of the Pro Bono Resource Center at (410) 837-9379, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .