NY Law Journal: Finally! Green Cards for Victims Of Trafficking, Serious Crimes

News & Media

NY Law Journal: Finally! Green Cards for Victims Of Trafficking, Serious Crimes

January 26, 2009

Michael D. Patrick, with the assistance of Suzanne Tomatore and Libby Reichard of the Justice Center

It has been a long and frustrating journey for advocates promoting a path to permanent residence ("the green card") for foreign victims of domestic violence, trafficking and other crimes. Yet, on Dec. 12, 2008, after many years of lobbying, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finally issued interim final regulations that allow nonimmigrant victims of trafficking and certain serious crimes to adjust their status and become permanent residents.1 In doing so, USCIS has instituted the final step in a legal scheme that has taken decades to develop.

Click here to read the full article (log-in may be required).