The Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) Binational Migrant Advocacy Project (BMAP) secured a life-changing win by obtaining humanitarian parole for a disabled father and his two young daughters, all survivors of labor trafficking.
On a recent service trip to Tijuana, Mexico, LIJC fellow Kevin Sarabia ’24 met a vision-impaired single father and his two daughters at an immigrant shelter. Sarabia soon discovered they had been victims of labor trafficking in the United States. After the father became fully blind, the trafficker forcibly deported him and his two daughters back to Mexico.
Sarabia took on the family’s case and worked on their humanitarian parole application. Despite two denials by U.S. Border Patrol, he continued to advocate for the family, engaging with international NGOs and government agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico. Following this months-long coordinated effort, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ultimately permitted the family to present their case at a port of entry. Humanitarian parole was granted, allowing the family to re-enter the U.S. safely.
“We helped our clients gain humanitarian parole at the border on January 19,” said fellow Kevin Sarabia. “It was just one day before the cancellation of the CBP One appointment system that had become the only way for many migrants to seek legal entry for humanitarian reasons. The success of this case highlights the importance of our binational immigrant advocacy work in the clinic.”
The LIJC BMAP is now assisting the family in applying for T-visas, which are designated for victims of human trafficking. Details of the case remain confidential, but the family consented to sharing their story to highlight the impact of legal advocacy and support for trafficking survivors.
"Kevin is an exceptional advocate and a relentless force for justice,” says clinic director and co-founder of LIJC Marissa Montes ’12. “His recent success in securing humanitarian parole for a trafficked family is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in their fight for safety and dignity."
To learn more about the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic and its Binational Migrant Advocacy Program, please visit here.