Beyond the physical and emotional abuse trafficking victims endure, they often find themselves in an unfamiliar environment where they risk further suffering in a legal system they do not understand. There are organizations that can help provide free legal services to trafficking victims.
Immigration Matters
Trafficking victims may find themselves in the U.S. without going through the proper procedures and may be facing the prospect of returning to their home country where they face further violence and abuse. The organizations below provide free legal services on immigration matters:
Immigrant Rights Hotline
1-833-468-4664
The Immigrant Rights Hotline is a source of timely and accurate information about changing immigration policies, a place to report discrimination and racial profiling, and a source for referrals to legal services providers and immigrant rights organizers. The hotline is staffed by non-profit staff and DOJ accredited representatives. Callers can get assistance Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (except holidays).
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
(713) 526-4611
2900 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77006
St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance helps serve individuals unable to obtain legal representation. Their clients include victims of human trafficking, separated families, and those fearing persecution in their home country. They also provide access to helpful legal and social resources for victims.
YMCA International Services
(713) 758-9280
6300 Westpark Dr, Ste 600
Houston, TX 77057
YMCA International Services provides assistance to asylum seekers, victims of domestic violence, crime victims, or victims of human trafficking. They also have “Walk-in-Wednesdays,” where individuals can discuss their immigration case with an Immigration Attorney, BIA Accredited Representative or an Immigration Case Manager between 9am-3pm. Some consultations may require a $40 consultation fee.
Tahirih Justice Center
(713) 496-0100
1717 St. James Place, Suite 450
Houston, TX 77056
Tahirih Justice Center provides free legal services to immigrant women and girls fleeing violence in the Greater Houston and Galveston area. They have staff handling matters such as gender-based asylum, T visas, U visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Human Rights First
South Texas College of Law
1303 San Jacinto Street, 9th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 955-1360
Human Rights First helps people who do not have legal representation and cannot afford an attorney in seeking asylum or making other protection-based immigration claims.
Justice For Our Neighbors
(713) 454-6470
2220 Broadway Street
Houston, TX 77012
Justice For Our Neighbors provides affordable immigration legal services to low-income individuals, including victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and political persecution. They also have periodic events to educate the community on immigration issues.
Kids In Need of Defense
(832) 779-4030
1303 San Jacinto Street, Floor 9
Houston, TX 77002
KIND helps unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children who come to the U.S. without parents, including helping to provide legal representation to unaccompanied children who have been trafficked to the U.S., persecuted in their home countries, or abused, abandoned, and neglected.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
(713) 228-0732
1111 Bagby, Suite FLB 300
Houston, TX 77002
Houston Volunteer Lawyers provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in Harris County by connecting them with volunteer lawyers.
Help with Criminal Records (Sealing, Vacatur, Expungement)
It is common that trafficking victims face barriers in regaining their independence due to crimes that were committed while they were being trafficked. There are organizations that can help victims have their criminal records expunged or sealed so that they are not discoverable.
Lone Star Legal Aid
1415 Fannin
Houston, TX 77002
(800) 733-8394
(713) 652-0077
Lone Star Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm serving low-income and underserved populations who would not otherwise be able to afford an attorney. Through their Civil Matters in Criminal Justice Project, Lone Star Legal Aid provides free legal services relating to post-conviction issues, including expungement to remove criminal records and applications to seal criminal records. They also provide services to Survivors of Sexual Assault. Lone Start Legal Aid periodically presents events such as the Human Trafficking Bus Tour to educate people on human trafficking issues.
Recovering Unpaid Wages
Lone Star Legal Aid
1415 Fannin
Houston, TX 77002
(800) 733-8394
1-844-885-7428 (crime victim assistance)
Lone Star Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm serving low-income and underserved populations who would not otherwise be able to afford an attorney. Through their Legal Assistance to Victims of Crime and Survivors of Sexual Assault services, Lone Star Legal Aid provides legal assistance to victims of crimes, including human trafficking and sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, to ensure they obtain the services they need to recover. Lone Star Legal Aid also provides Employment services, including wage claims.
Fe Y Justicia Worker Center
1836 Sul Ross St., Ste 1
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 862-8222
1-888-373-7888 – to report suspected forced labor
The Fe Y Justicia Worker Center is a worker rights community organization that helps low-wage workers, including victims of labor trafficking, in wage theft and other employment-related matters. They provide education, guidance, case management, and referrals to non-profits law firms and attorneys.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
1111 Bagby, Suite FLB 300
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-0732
Houston Volunteer Lawyers provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in Harris County by connecting them with volunteer lawyers.