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Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims are often lured under the
false pretenses of good jobs and better lives and then forced to work under brutal and inhumane
conditions. Many believe that human trafficking is a problem that only occurs in other countries.
But human trafficking also happens here in our own neighborhoods.
Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes that we investigate. Where traffickers
prey on vulnerable populations.
When I learned I was coming to America. I was happy I was coming to America.
Oh, it's America. It's the land of opportunity. And I grabbed it. The opportunity. To get.
To come here.
They told me they will take care of everything, paperwork and everything; I wouldn't have
to worry about it.
They use them as a commodity, holding them against their will using force, fraud of coercion
for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sex.
She asked for my passport. She said where is your, do you have your passport, I said,
yes I have it. And then she take it. "I will take care of this" and I trusted her.
When I was with them I never thought that I will leave them and will have my freedom
again, for a very long time.
Many victims don't realize that they have rights and protections in the United States.
One such protection that victims of human trafficking may be eligible for is the T Visa.
The T nonimmigrant status (or T Visa) provides immigration protection to victims of severe
forms of trafficking who assist law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of human
trafficking cases.
Often, victims are afraid to come forward and worry that law enforcement will bring
them back to their traffickers.
At the traffic lights, those cameras. They would point those to us, to me, and tell me
that "you see those camera?" The police are checking on you, so if you try to escape or
try to run away they will still catch you.
Every time we go out, when you go out be careful of the police they might arrest you, or don't
find any friend, don't talk to neighbor, don't talk to people They going to call the police
and I was scared I didn't have nowhere to go at that time.
My role as a special agent investigating these crimes is to identify someone whose been a
victim of human trafficking, assist that victim, rescuing them from the situation, helping
them connect with different services that they have. That they regain their freedom
of will.
They told me that, "don't worry, just tell the truth, just tell what's going on and we
will help you."
When the FBI asked me if I wanted to leave with them or if I wanted to stay back, and
when I told them that I wanted to leave with them, and they told me "ok, let's go up and
collect your things." That's when I felt like I felt a little bit relived knowing that I'm
going to leave that family.
Once law enforcement is involved, victims can petition for a T Visa through USCIS.
Victims are not required to be in legal immigration status to be eligible for a T Visa, but they
must,
Be a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons.
Be physically present in the United States on account of the trafficking.
Comply with any reasonable requests for assistance in the investigation or prosecution, or be
under the age of 18, or
Suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United
States.
To apply for a T nonimmigrant status, applicants must file Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant
Status. Qualifying family members may also be eligible to apply for immigration benefits.
Visit www.uscis.gov/humantrafficking, or call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center
at 1-888-373-7888 for information on how to get help.
If USCIS grants T nonimmigrant status the applicant will automatically be eligible to
work. The T nonimmigrant visa is valid for four years and a visa holder may be eligible
to apply for permanent residence with a green card after three years in a T nonimmigrant
status.
Human trafficking is a particularly difficult crime to investigate because victims of trafficking
don't normally self-identify and also because it's a crime that's hidden in plain sight.
Traffickers operate in an underground society, they isolate their victims, they often times
take their identity documents. They assure that there's no communication between family
and friends.
So it's hard for us to identify those victims. Which is why we often ask the public to be
aware of those different indicators, and if they see them to report that suspicious activity.
She started telling us not to talk to anybody. we're not supposed to talk to anybody or we're
not supposed to use her phone to call anybody.
And then days pass and pass and weeks then I realize that I haven't gotten a day off,
I haven't stopped working.
I was thinking, who's gonna believe me? What I'm thinking is, she has the paper. She's
a citizen. And me I'm just like, I don't have any paperwork. I was feeling they're gonna
believe her, not me.
I used to work 7 days a week. I didn't have any days off. And we had to stay up late,
until around 3. And we had to wake, to be up and ready by 6 in the morning. Every single
day.
There are several human trafficking indicators that people can be aware of.
Do you know someone who, Isn't allowed to control or possess his or her identification
and travel documents? Is forced to perform *** acts? Cannot freely move, contact family
or friends, or socialize?
Has been threatened that they or their family will be harmed if they try to escape? Has
been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities? Is
the victim a juvenile engaged in commercial sex?
If you do see any of these indicators, call the Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.
You can also contact the center for help in getting a T Visa.
I start working with my lawyer telling my story, working to apply for T-visa, now I
have my T-visa. Now I still continue working without doubt. Now I'm looking forward to
applying for my green card.
I was so happy in that time. Finally I'm legal, I can be able to find a job now.
I got my green card in July. I'm still working at the same place. I've been working since
2009. I'm planning to go home soon for a visit. And then when I come back then I'd like to
start school.
If there was a message to tell victims it would be, do not be afraid to come forward,
call 911 if you are in harms-way, to know that you have rights under the law in the
US and if you see suspicious activity to please report it.
Together, law enforcement, community organizations, and people like you can help end human trafficking.
Call the National Human Trafficking Resource center at 1-888-373-7888 to report human trafficking
and for other inquiries. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/humantrafficking.