Cleary Gottlieb successfully represented Ms. V, a citizen of Russia, in her application for adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident, commonly known as obtaining a green card.
Cleary previously represented Ms. V in her application for T Nonimmigrant Status (known as a T Visa), which was granted in September 2016. T Visas are available to those who are or have been victims of human trafficking and have assisted in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking.
Ms. V arrived in the United States on a valid J-1 exchange visitor visa in 2010. Within a week of her arrival, she met her trafficker, who persuaded Ms. V to marry him just a month after meeting. Almost as quickly, her trafficker became physically abusive and forced Ms. V into prostitution, rendering Ms. V psychologically and financially dependent on him. After years of suffering severe physical and psychological trauma, and with the help of Sanctuary for Families and her legal team at Cleary, Ms. V was finally able to break free from her trafficker and report her victimization to federal authorities.
Securing a green card means that Ms. V may continue to live and work legally in the United States and continue to rebuild her life. In five years she will be able to naturalize and become a U.S. citizen.