Wednesday, February 1, is National Freedom Day. President Abraham Lincoln signed a resolution to abolish slavery on February 1, 1865, which became the 13 Amendment to the United States Constitution. The states ratified the resolution to make all people free regardless of their skin color or origin. National Freedom Day also marks the culmination of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the United State’s commitment to fighting human trafficking.
The 13th Amendment is an important change to the U.S. Constitution that outlawed slavery in the United States. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed a proclamation declaring that February 1 be officially known as National Freedom Day.
Richard R. Wright, a former slave, first proposed that National Freedom Day should be celebrated every February 1. It is also the 1st day of Black History Month.
U-Visa
The U visa is for victims of certain qualifying criminal activities, including human trafficking. The U Visa protects victims of serious offenses from further mistreatment. It is reserved for victims of certain crimes who have suffered physical or mental abuse and provides assistance to law enforcement agencies and government officials to investigate and prosecute the crimes. U visas allow immigrants who are victims of crimes such as domestic violence or sex crimes to live and work in the United States for four years or more. After three years of living in the US, a U visa holder and their immediate family can apply for green cards.
There are 5,000 visas made available a year for victims of human trafficking. This includes immigrants in the United States who were victims of the use of force, fraud, or coercion for sex trafficking and/or involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
There are a limited number of U and T visas available each year. If you or a family member were a victim of a crime or domestic abuse and want to live in the United States, you may be entitled to a U or T visa. Contact an experienced U visa and T visa lawyer to ensure your application is complete and does not have any mistakes that will result in your application being denied or rejected. Contact the skilled immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office today to schedule your initial appointment.
AREAS WE SERVE: Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area, including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties
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