Refugee Attorney in Silver Spring, MD

Full-Spectrum Humanitarian Protection for Those Who Need It Most

People fleeing persecution, domestic violence, serious crimes, or trafficking can qualify for humanitarian immigration relief in the United States even without legal status. Our Silver Spring, Maryland office represents individuals and families across the full spectrum of humanitarian protection: VAWA petitions, U visas, T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and humanitarian asylum. Murray Osorio PLLC attorneys have been featured in national outlets including the New York Times, CNN, and NBC in connection with immigration cases, and our team holds Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Virginia Legal Elite, and Washingtonian Top Lawyers designations.

We serve clients in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Amharic. Regardless of how you entered the country or your current immigration status, we can assess your options and help build a case tailored to your situation. Cruz Law PLLC joined our firm in April 2026, expanding our Silver Spring legal team and deepening our capacity to serve Montgomery County immigrants across every humanitarian pathway.

If you or someone you know needs a refugee lawyer in Silver Spring, call Murray Osorio PLLC at (240) 202-1566 to request a consultation.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

VAWA allows survivors of domestic violence of any gender to self-petition for lawful permanent resident status when their abusive spouse is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. VAWA also forgives certain grounds of inadmissibility, including unlawful entry, that would otherwise block a path to residency. Self-petitions are filed confidentially, and USCIS isn’t permitted to notify the abusive spouse that a petition has been submitted.

In many cases, eligible survivors can file the VAWA petition and the green card application simultaneously, which may shorten the overall timeline. Whether concurrent filing is available depends on the abuser’s immigration status and visa availability. Our team has handled many of these cases across Maryland and nationwide, and a carefully prepared filing can make a real difference.

U Visas for Crime Victims

Victims of serious crimes, including felonious assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other qualifying offenses, can apply for a U visa if they reported the crime to law enforcement and cooperated with the investigation or prosecution. Applicants must obtain a certification from a law enforcement agency confirming that cooperation before the application can proceed.

While a U visa application is pending, applicants may receive work authorization. If approved, U visa holders receive work authorization and temporary status for four years. After three years in the United States on a U visa, holders and eligible family members may apply for legal permanent residency.

T Visas for Human Trafficking Survivors

Victims of sex trafficking or labor trafficking can petition for a T visa by reporting the crime to the appropriate authorities and assisting in the investigation. T visa holders may receive work authorization and temporary status, and certain qualifying family members can be included in the application. Which family members are eligible depends on the principal applicant’s age.

A T visa can be filed affirmatively to obtain lawful status or defensively to halt active deportation proceedings. Like the U visa, the T visa can ultimately lead to legal permanent residence for qualifying applicants.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence for undocumented minors who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. Before a SIJS petition can be filed with USCIS, a juvenile court must issue a qualifying order making three determinations: that the child is dependent on the court or placed in the custody of a state agency or court-appointed individual; that reunification with one or both parents isn’t viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment; and that it isn’t in the child’s best interest to be returned to their home country.

SIJS petitioners may also be eligible for work authorization and are protected from certain deportation proceedings while the petition is pending. Our Silver Spring office handles SIJS cases as part of our full humanitarian protection practice, and our attorneys can guide families through both the state court process and the federal immigration petition that follows.