Why Trauma-Informed Lawyering Matters in Immigration Cases
By Abigael Monahan Negron, Immigration Attorney
Immigration law is about more than preparing applications and navigating the legal process. It is about people, and people come with a complexity of issues. Many of the people who come to see us have survived unimaginable trauma, and here at Sanabria & Associates we believe that being an advocate means understanding not only the law, but also the human experience behind every case.
This is especially true for clients who seek humanitarian relief, U-visas, VAWA’s, T-visas, and, of course, Asylum. These cases require clients to recount some of their most painful moments. Domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other serious crimes, are often part of the immigration experience. For survivors, telling their story is not as simple as answering questions. Trauma changes the way the brain processes and stores memories, making it incredibly difficult for these people to revisit these experiences.
Early in my career, I was representing a woman who qualified for a T-visa, after surviving sex trafficking. I expected that gathering the facts of her story would be my first step to building her case. It took nearly four months before she felt safe enough to tell me her full story. During those months, my work extended beyond legal representation. I connected her to group therapy and individual counseling. I checked in with her regularly and focused on building the trust she needed to feel safe talking to me and sharing her trauma.
That experience forever changed the way I approach my work. It reinforced that successful advocacy begins with patience, compassion, and creating a space where clients feel supported. This commitment to trauma-informed representation is something I have always looked for in a firm, and at Sanabria & Associates, it is just as important as our knowledge of the law.
Recently, our team participated in a trauma-informed lawyering training led by Sandra Arboleda Moncada, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C. Sandra is amental health professional and immigrant herself. Her insight gave us a deeper understanding of what our clients struggle with while recounting a traumatic event. Sandra explained that when someone experiences trauma, the brain shifts into survival mode. The amygdala (often described as the brain’s “smoke detector”) goes into overdrive, while the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and organizing information) becomes less active. The result being memories are often fragmented disorganized, or difficult to recall in chronological order. The brain isn’t focused on creating a clear narrative; it is focused on surviving.
Our goal is not only to prepare the strongest legal case but also to provide a safe, supportive environment for survivors to feel respected and empowered. Immigrants deserve an attorney who understands both the legal complexities of their case and the emotional traumas that they have endured.
At our firm, trauma-informed lawyering is not just a practice, it is our commitment as immigration attorneys. We know that trust is not simply given. It is earned. Healing takes time and the best attorney knows how to listen. We are honored to walk with our clients through some of their darkest moments and help them plan for a safer future. You can schedule a consult with an attorney on our team here.
The content on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.