PROVIDENCE - An illegal immigrant, who was hurt while trimming trees in Rhode Island, came back to the U.S. on Thursday to have his day in court.

Edgar Velasquez, 22, was hit in the face with a chainsaw in March of 2006 while working for Billy G's Tree Service.

Just after the incident, the undocumented worker was arrested by immigration officials, and sent back to Mexico.

On Thursday, a temporary visa allowed Velasquez to return to face his former employer, William J. Gorman in court.

"Justice for me is to see that something is learned from this," Velasquez said through translator Dr. Antonio Barahaas. "I think that the way I was stepped on that day, no one should be subject to that."

NBC 10's Nicole Muri said Velasquez is seeking damages for his injuries, ongoing treatment and medical bills.

Velasquez said through a translator said he suffers from headaches, migraines and pain in his face.

The decision to award damages was derailed by Gorman’s attorney Michael St. Pierre, who argued that Gorman is an arborist who employees fewer than 25 employees.

Under Rhode Island law, companies like Gorman's are not subject to workers' compensation court proceedings.

The judge asked the attorneys for both sides to make their arguments in a memo to him by Oct. 10.

Muri reported that the Rhode Island Department of Labor also has a case against Gorman about the status and licensing of his company.