Surviving Human Trafficking

In 2012, a large earthquake hit Guatemala, destroying Elisabeth’s family home. With substantial debts to pay and a young daughter with severe disabilities, Elisabeth felt she had no choice but to make the journey north to find work. After a harrowing journey through Mexico, she arrived in San Francisco. She was then introduced to Juan who owned a restaurant. She began working for Juan, cleaning his restaurant at night. Juan promised to pay her a fair wage, yet his paychecks repeatedly bounced. When Elisabeth complained and later tried to quit, Juan warned her that he was connected to Mexican drug cartels and could make her family in Guatemala "disappear". He also told her that she had no legal rights, that he could call “Immigration” and have her deported. Paralyzed by fear, Elisabeth felt she had no choice but to continue working for Juan.

Fortunately, Elisabeth was eventually able to escape and file an employment claim against Juan. She also found her voice and began advocating for domestic workers’ rights, speaking at state and national conferences. In 2022, Elisabeth contacted Jubilee for immigration assistance. Jubilee represented her in her T visa case, an immigration benefit for survivors of human trafficking. Earlier this year, her T visa application was approved and she reunited with her husband and daughter in the United States. 

• Names and info changed for confidentiality

By Christine Hoang

Staff Attorney