Worcester commission hears bilingual briefing on asylum, U/T visas, juvenile protections and practical "know-your-rights" steps

Alex Meridi, a Worcester-based immigration attorney, told the Human Rights Commission on Oct. 1 that community organizations and service providers should actively screen for several immigration relief paths — asylum, U visas for qualifying crime victims, T visas for trafficking survivors and special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS) for abused or abandoned children — and refer possible clients to counsel.

Meridi outlined the legal bases for asylum — persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group — and said the crucial question is whether a person’s fear of returning amounts to more than generalized country conditions. “Asylum is a benefit for people who have been persecuted or fear persecution on account of their race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or being part of some particular social group,” Meridi said.

The attorney also gave a practical primer for identifying trafficking or exploitative work conditions that could support a T visa, listing red flags such as seizure of passports, withheld wages, forced living arrangements and employer control of movement. For U visas, which require cooperation with law enforcement, Meridi…