Jenner & Block Works with Partner Organizations to Secure Trafficking Visa for Client
News
February 9, 2023
Nonprofit Ayuda and corporate client Marriott International partnered with Jenner & Block to help secure the approval of a pro bono client’s T Visa application, which is reserved for victims of human trafficking.
While trying to secure a visa, our client named “L” was exploited by her employer. The owner of the restaurant where she worked for cash had offered to sponsor L for an EB2 visa. The employer told her she owed thousands of dollars for attorney’s fees, which she agreed to pay as she was unfamiliar with the process. L was moved to a server position and worked for only tips as she waited for the visa.
Her employer demanded an additional $10,000 and said that if L didn’t pay, others who could pay more would take her place on the EB2 visa application schedule. L could not afford the $10,000, so the employer moved L to the back of the restaurant, where she did not get tips and was not paid.
L left the situation and reported the crime to the Department of Labor and to local law enforcement. She connected with Ayuda’s pro bono program and Jenner & Block and Marriott assisted L in securing a T visa so that she could work within the US legally. She was issued her visa and Employment Authorization Card in late 2022.
Since then, the owner of the restaurant has pled guilty to human trafficking.
Ayuda is a nonprofit that provides legal, social, and language services to support low-income immigrants in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Partner Lindsay Harrison, former Partner Previn Warren, and former Associate Laurel Raymond worked on this case.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
February 9, 2023
Nonprofit Ayuda and corporate client Marriott International partnered with Jenner & Block to help secure the approval of a pro bono client’s T Visa application, which is reserved for victims of human trafficking.
While trying to secure a visa, our client named “L” was exploited by her employer. The owner of the restaurant where she worked for cash had offered to sponsor L for an EB2 visa. The employer told her she owed thousands of dollars for attorney’s fees, which she agreed to pay as she was unfamiliar with the process. L was moved to a server position and worked for only tips as she waited for the visa.
Her employer demanded an additional $10,000 and said that if L didn’t pay, others who could pay more would take her place on the EB2 visa application schedule. L could not afford the $10,000, so the employer moved L to the back of the restaurant, where she did not get tips and was not paid.
L left the situation and reported the crime to the Department of Labor and to local law enforcement. She connected with Ayuda’s pro bono program and Jenner & Block and Marriott assisted L in securing a T visa so that she could work within the US legally. She was issued her visa and Employment Authorization Card in late 2022.
Since then, the owner of the restaurant has pled guilty to human trafficking.
Ayuda is a nonprofit that provides legal, social, and language services to support low-income immigrants in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Partner Lindsay Harrison, former Partner Previn Warren, and former Associate Laurel Raymond worked on this case.
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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