AAO 2024 T Nonimmigrant Decisions Analysis

Posted by 5sc on January 06, 2025

CAST has compiled the latest data on T nonimmigrant (I-914) AAO decisions for the year 2024, offering a focused look into the outcomes and bases of denial in cases related to human trafficking. A total of 20 cases have been published by the AAO, highlighting critical trends that shape the landscape of T nonimmigrant and T adjustment of status appeals.

Overview of AAO 2024 Decisions

The data for 2024 provides a nuanced view of T nonimmigrant cases, showcasing the distribution of outcomes and reasons for denial:

Outcomes

  • Dismissed Cases: 70% (14 cases)
  • Remanded Cases: 30% (6 cases)
  • Granted Cases: 0% (0 cases)

Bases of Denial

  • Severe Form of Trafficking: 45% (9 cases)
  • Adjustment of Status (AOS): 20% (4 cases)
  • Ineligible for Status: 15% (3 cases)
  • Derivative Eligibility: 10% (2 cases)
  • Physical Presence on Account of Trafficking: 10% (2 cases)

Type of Trafficking and Outcome

The data highlights which cases were denied or remanded based on the specific type of trafficking described:

Specific Types of Trafficking

  • Smuggling/Border Cases: 6 cases (35% of total cases)
    • Common in AAO appeals, though slightly lower than in 2023.
  • Not Specified: 8 cases (47%)
  • Other Notable Types:
    • Drug Sales: 1 case
    • Domestic Servitude: 1 case
    • Teacher-related Trafficking: 1 case

Trends in Smuggling/Border Cases

Smuggling cases continue to be a frequent subject of appeal. In 2024, 35% of all cases involved smuggling, maintaining their prominence from prior years.

Intimate Partner/Family Violence Cases

No cases explicitly identified as "Intimate Partner/Family Violence" were appealed in 2024.

Visualizing 2024 Trends

The following visualizations capture the key trends:

 A stacked bar chart displaying the outcomes of AAO 2024 cases by basis of denial. Each bar represents a basis of denial, including "Severe Form of Trafficking," "Adjustment of Status (AOS)," "Ineligible for Status," "Derivative Eligibility," and "Physical Presence on Account of Trafficking." Segments indicate the number of cases dismissed (red), remanded (orange), and granted (green). "Severe Form of Trafficking" and "AOS" have the highest counts, with most cases dismissed.

A stacked bar chart showing the outcomes of AAO 2024 cases by specific type of trafficking, focusing on cases denied based on "Severe Form of Trafficking." Each bar represents a trafficking type, including "Smuggling/Border Case," "Not Specified," "Drug Sales," "Domestic Servitude," and "Teacher-Related Trafficking." Segments show the number of cases dismissed (red), remanded (orange), and granted (green). "Smuggling/Border Case" and "Not Specified" are the most prominent categories, with most cases dismissed and no cases granted. 

A pie chart showing the proportion of specific types of trafficking in AAO 2024 cases, excluding cases with "Adjustment of Status (AOS)" as the basis of denial. Categories include "Smuggling/Border Case," "Not Specified," "Drug Sales," "Domestic Servitude," and others. "Smuggling/Border Case" and "Not Specified" are the largest segments, reflecting their prevalence in trafficking-related appeals.

Comparing 2023 to 2024

While the total number of cases decreased significantly from 30 in 2023 to 17 in 2024, certain trends remain consistent:

  • Smuggling/Border Cases: A slight decline but still a significant proportion of appeals.
  • Severe Form of Trafficking: Continues to dominate as the leading basis of denial.

 

The 2024 AAO T nonimmigrant decisions underscore critical patterns in trafficking-related appeals. CAST remains committed to analyzing these trends to provide practitioners with valuable insights into the evolving landscape of T visa adjudications. These findings help inform advocacy strategies and highlight areas where systemic changes may be necessary.

We will continue to monitor and analyze these cases as more decisions are published.

 

Note: The above findings are based on data as of January 6, 2025.

AAO

The Comprehensive Training and Technical Assistance Project by the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking is funded under 15POVC-23-GK-00929-HT, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Some material was created previously under 2018-VT-BX-K014, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and Grant No. 2018-TA-AX-K009 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. The material from this website may not be copied or duplicated in whole or part by any means without express prior agreement from CAST, Office for Victims of Crime, or the Office for Violence Against Women.

 

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