Humanitarian Immigration Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Humanitarian Protections
Protection and a Path Forward for Survivors and Vulnerable Families
Some people come to an immigration lawyer not to advance a career or reunite with family, but because something happened to them. They survived a crime, escaped an abusive relationship, or grew up without the protection a child deserves. United States immigration law recognizes these situations and offers real protection, often including work authorization and a path to a green card. The challenge is that these cases are sensitive, evidence-driven, and easy to get wrong.
At Lozano Law Firm, humanitarian cases are handled with discretion and with the credibility that comes from a Board-Certified immigration attorney reviewing every filing. Our bilingual team serves survivors across San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo in English and Spanish, and we understand how much courage it takes to come forward. Everything you share in a free, confidential consultation stays between us.
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Our Humanitarian Immigration Services
Humanitarian relief comes in several forms, each with its own eligibility rules and its own evidence. Part of our job is identifying which protection fits your situation, because many survivors qualify for more than one.
U Visa for Victims of Crime
The U visa protects victims of qualifying crimes, such as domestic violence, assault, or human trafficking, who suffered substantial harm and helped law enforcement. It requires a certification from a police department, prosecutor, or other agency confirming your cooperation. Because Congress caps U visas each year, the wait is long, but applicants with strong cases can receive work authorization while they wait and can pursue a green card after three years.
VAWA Self-Petition for Abuse Survivors
The Violence Against Women Act lets the abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident petition for status on their own, without the abuser's knowledge or consent. Despite its name, VAWA protects survivors of any gender. Federal confidentiality rules bar the government from sharing information with the abuser, which lets survivors seek safety without fear that filing will be used against them.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or SIJS, protects children under 21 who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. It requires a specific order from a Texas state juvenile, family, or probate court before the immigration petition is filed, so the timing between the two courts matters enormously. When it works, SIJS leads to a green card for the child.
T Visa for Trafficking Survivors
The T visa protects survivors of severe forms of human trafficking who are present in the United States because of that trafficking and who assist reasonable requests from law enforcement. Like the U visa, it can provide work authorization and a route to permanent residence for people who have endured serious exploitation.
Work Authorization and Deferred Action
While a humanitarian case is pending, many applicants qualify for employment authorization or deferred action, which offers temporary protection from removal. We pursue these interim benefits so survivors can work, support themselves, and rebuild stability while the longer case moves forward.
Adjustment of Status After Humanitarian Relief
U visa, T visa, VAWA, and SIJS cases are often the first step, not the last. Each can lead to lawful permanent residence once the eligibility period and requirements are met. We stay with clients through that final adjustment of status step so the protection becomes permanent.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
How Humanitarian Cases Work
Humanitarian cases are built on trust and on evidence. We begin with a private conversation about what happened, at your pace, and we explain which protections may fit before you decide anything. Nothing is filed until you are ready.
From there, the work is careful documentation. A U visa needs a law enforcement certification and proof of harm. A VAWA petition needs evidence of the qualifying relationship and the abuse, assembled in a way that protects your safety. An SIJS case needs a state court order obtained on the right timeline. These cases reward patience and precision, and they punish shortcuts, which is why survivors are far better served by an attorney who handles them regularly than by a general practitioner. Throughout, federal confidentiality protections shield much of what you share.
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Lozano Law Firm
Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Fewer than five percent of Texas immigration attorneys are Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds that distinction, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Confidential Humanitarian Help in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo
Survivors come to us from across South and West Texas, and we meet them where they are, in English or Spanish. We work with local police departments and prosecutors on U visa certifications, with Texas family and juvenile courts on SIJS orders, and with the USCIS units that handle VAWA and U visa cases. Our offices in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo give survivors a safe, professional place to begin, and we can also start a case remotely when meeting in person is not safe or practical.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
Humanitarian Immigration FAQs
Do I have to report the crime to get a U visa?
You do not have to be the one who first reports the crime, but you do need a certification confirming that you were helpful to law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of a qualifying crime. That certification usually comes from a police department or prosecutor. We help clients request it and build the rest of the case around it.
Will my abuser find out if I file a VAWA petition?
No. VAWA is a confidential self-petition, and federal law specifically prohibits USCIS from sharing information about the case with the abuser. You do not need the abuser's cooperation, signature, or knowledge to file. Protecting your safety and privacy is built into how these cases are handled.
Who qualifies for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?
SIJS is for unmarried people under 21 who a state court finds have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents, and for whom returning to their home country is not in their best interest. Because a Texas court order must come before the immigration filing, and because age limits matter, it is important to start early. We coordinate the state court and immigration steps together.
Can I work while my humanitarian case is pending?
Often, yes. Many U visa, T visa, VAWA, and SIJS applicants become eligible for employment authorization while their cases are pending, and some receive deferred action that protects them from removal in the meantime. We pursue these interim benefits so you can support yourself during what is often a long wait.
How long do humanitarian visas take?
Timelines vary widely. VAWA and SIJS petitions are often decided in a matter of months to a couple of years, while the U visa has an annual cap that has created multi-year waits, though applicants can receive work authorization before final approval. We give every client a realistic timeline for their specific case rather than a one-size-fits-all promise.
Is what I tell the lawyer confidential?
Yes. Conversations with our firm are protected by attorney-client privilege, and several humanitarian programs carry additional federal confidentiality protections. You can speak with us openly and safely, and we will explain exactly how your information is protected before you share anything sensitive.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
Contact Us
Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
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