ASISTA Virtual CLE Conference

Supporting Survivors of Trafficking in 2025: Comparing Protections of the T & U Visas

Wed., Oct. 29 & Thrus. Oct 30, 2025 (12-5pm ET)

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This two-day conference is intended for intermediate attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives who have experience or interest in working with immigrant survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, labor offenses, or other crimes that may constitute human trafficking.

Join ASISTA attorneys and a stellar panel of national experts for a deep dive into the immigration options for survivors of human trafficking in 2025. With a particular focus on comparing and contrasting the U and T visa paths, we will examine the elements and benefits of relief and relevant waivers of inadmissibility. Along the way, we will discuss ancillary benefits, the impacts of the 2024 T visa regulations after one year of implementation, and various hot topics in the practice. Understanding the high-enforcement environment we are in, we will also pay special attention to claims that involve criminal activity, and options for survivors being targeted for removal or who are subject to a final order.

Intermediate Training: 8 TX MCLE credits (pending)

Day ONE Wed. Oct. 29, 2025 (12-5pm ET)

Session One: (2 hrs.) 12-2 ET

What are the T and U Visas? For that Matter, What is Trafficking? 

In Session One we set the stage for the rest of the conference by reviewing the requirements and processes for T and U visas—and their accompanying adjustment of status options—as clarified by the 2024 T visa regulations.  We then zoom in specifically on the definition of trafficking that survivors must meet for each visa type. Participants will practice identifying which fact patterns involving poor working conditions, domestic abuse, and other common bad acts do and do not satisfy USCIS’s definition of trafficking.

Speakers: Lia Ocasio, Staff Attorney, ASISTA

Session Two: (2 hrs.) 3:00-5:00 pm ET

Inadmissible Survivors

In this session, we will focus on inadmissible survivors of human trafficking. We will cover how the waiver standards differ and overlap for T and U visas—and adjudication trends you need to know. Because the waivers are arguably the only discretionary aspect of a T or U visa application, we will also discuss the impact of USCIS’s new discretion policy and practices. 

Speakers: Hilary Chadwick, Associate Attorney, Scott D. Pollock & Associates;  Nicole Avila, Florida Legal Services; Kelly Byrne, Staff Attorney, ASISTA

Day TWO Thursday, Oct.30, 2025 (12-5pm ET)

Session Three: (1.5 hrs.) 12-1:30 pm ET

Smuggling Turned Trafficking and Forced Criminality

In the course of their trafficking or its aftermath, survivors are commonly forced into criminal acts that would otherwise make it challenging to obtain lawful status. They may also turn to unlawful means of coping with the effects of their victimization. In this session we will tackle how to handle criminal acts, allegations, or convictions, and will pay special attention to scenarios where the survivor was compelled into certain acts or labor during the course of being smuggled into the U.S.

Speakers:  Ashwini Jaisingh, UMD SAFE Center; Lia Ocasio, Staff Attorney, ASISTA 

Session Four: (1 hr.) 2-3 pm ET

Presence on Account of Trafficking

This session will delve deep into the ways to meet the unique and sometimes decisive T visa element of presence on account of trafficking. It will review ways to meet the requirement even years after the trafficking or after departures, including the changes in the 2024 T visa regulations.

Speakers: Heather Ziemba, Anti-Trafficking Project Attorney, ASISTA

Session Five: (1.5 hrs.) 3:30-5:00 pm ET

Trafficking Survivors Facing Enforcement

Trafficking survivors cannot currently expect favorable treatment from ICE or adjudicators as a matter of course. Yet various legal authorities and maneuvers exist to ensure they are afforded at least some access to protections and relief from removal. In this session we review those authorities and relevant recent litigation to equip attendees to best protect our clients facing potential enforcement actions or removal proceedings.

Speakers: Cristina Velez, Legal & Policy Director, ASISTA

Prices for full training (5 sessions = 8 CLE credit hrs.)

• $82.80 SPECIAL Rate Law Students
• $362.25 Legal Staff/Advocates/Non-Profit 
• $467.75 ASISTA Member Private Attorney
• $621 Non-member  

Note: Early bird pricing ends on Tuesday, Oct. 21st. Prices for this training will increase $51.75 on Wed., Oct. 22nd. Registration will close the day before the training on Tuesday, Oct. 28th at the end of the day.

Please note that effective June 29, 2024, training fees include all credit card processing costs. There will be no separate charges when paying by credit card. If you choose to pay by check, you will receive a 3.5% discount (please contact manager@asistahelp.org to confirm the correct amount). Please mail checks to: ASISTA, PO Box 12, Suffield, CT 06078.

Note: 8 hrs. of Texas MCLE credits will be applied for this conference. Certificates of attendance will be available upon request and completion of training.

Questions: Contact Maria at manager@asistahelp.org with any questions.

    www.asistahelp.org

    ASISTA mailing address: PO Box 12, Suffield, CT, 06078