Human Trafficking

ICE is the lead US law enforcement agency

In the fight against human trafficking, ICE has developed a number of successful initiatives that focus on attacking the infrastructure that supports smuggling organizations, as well as the assets derived from these criminal activities. This might include seizing currency, property, weapons and vehicles—hitting the trafficking organizations where it hurts by targeting their assets. In addition, a key tool in the fight against trafficking is the issuance of Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA) notices to property owners whose properties have been identified as being used to facilitate the smuggling or harboring of aliens.

Public Awareness

ICE and DHS have launched efforts to raise public awareness of human trafficking, including the following:

• DHS Blue Campaign :
  
  

  DHS Blue Campaign ICE Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for enforcing a wide range of crimes related to border security, including conducting domestic and international investigations on human trafficking, child sex tourism, and forced child labor. ICE utilizes all of its authorities and resources in a cohesive global enforcement response in order to dismantle the global criminal infrastructure engaged in human trafficking. ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has developed a comprehensive strategy to combat these criminal organizations through coordination with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and law enforcement, both domestically and in foreign countries, in order to identify and provide services to trafficking victims and coordinate investigations. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, ICE initiated 566 human trafficking investigations resulting in 388 arrests, 148 indictments, and 165 convictions. This is a 31 percent increase in investigations over the previous year. Special Agents within our domestic and international offices work closely with the Headquarters Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit (HSTU), International Affairs (IA), ICE Cyber Crimes Center (C3), Victim Assistance Program (VAP), and other units within HSI to conduct victim-centered investigations of trafficking in persons. Additionally, ICE plays a leading role in the government's multiagency Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. ICE continues to enhance its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Strategy and plays a key role in DHS's anti-human trafficking initiative, the Blue Campaign. The Blue Campaign is organized around the three "Ps" of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): Protection (victim assistance), Prevention (public awareness) and Prosecution (law enforcement efforts). The Blue Campaign also emphasizes a fourth "P": Partnerships. Protection (victim assistance) ICE is fully committed to victim-centered investigations in which the identification, rescue, and needs of victims have equal importance to the apprehension and prosecution of traffickers. ICE enhanced its victim assistance efforts by staffing full-time Victim Assistance Specialists in ICE HSI field offices and hiring dedicated Child Forensic Interviewers. To date, 13 of 26 ICE Special Agent in Charge offices have hired full-time victim specialists to complement the work of our 250 collateral duty Victim Assistance Coordinators. ICE provides temporary legal immigration status to victims of trafficking in the form of Continued Presence (CP). CP ensures that trafficked persons are allowed to remain in the United States during the ongoing investigation and allows them to obtain a work authorization and other benefits. ICE has sole authority to adjudicate CP requests, which must be submitted by a federal law enforcement official. Typically, CP is granted for one year, but extensions may be authorized in one-year increments. In FY 2009, ICE authorized 447 CP requests and extensions. As part of the Blue Campaign, ICE has produced a CP brochure that will serve as a resource for state and local law enforcement, NGOs, and victim service providers. The brochure provides a concise, yet comprehensive overview of CP, describes who is eligible, explains the CP process, and debunks myths commonly associated with CP in the law enforcement and NGO community. Prevention (public awareness) ICE's Hidden in Plain Sight public awareness campaign reached 14 U.S. cities in the fall of 2009. The campaign was designed to raise general awareness of the crime of human trafficking and prompts the public to report suspected trafficking incidents. As part of its TIP strategy, ICE also produces and distributes trafficking indicator cards, pamphlets on the Victim Assistance Program, a public service announcement focused on victim recognition, and human trafficking posters. The wallet-sized TIP card is available in 17 languages. The PSA is available in 15 languages. Prosecution (law enforcement efforts) ICE is committed to combating human trafficking and aggressively investigates all allegations of exploitation. ICE recognizes that the nature of trafficking and the commitment to victim-centered investigations requires a multidisciplinary response. To this end, ICE personnel conduct outreach, conferences and training across the U.S. to law enforcement, consular officials, prosecutors, social service providers, and other partners on trafficking indicators, case initiation, human trafficking referrals, victim-centered investigations and immigration relief available to trafficking victims. In FY 2009, ICE Special Agent in Charge (SAC) and Attaché offices conducted outreach to 6,293 domestic law enforcement officials and over 20,000 NGO and law enforcement partners worldwide. Since inception of the ICE TIP Strategy in 2007, ICE has conducted outreach to over 85,000 NGO and domestic and foreign law enforcement personnel. As part of the Blue Campaign, ICE has designated 39 human trafficking Subject Matter Experts (SME) – at least one in every SAC office. The new SMEs will be specially trained to serve as a resource and coordinate human trafficking efforts within their local offices. Additionally, ICE launched a new email address to allow for law enforcement, NGOs, and victim service providers to contact ICE Headquarters human trafficking experts with questions, comments, or concerns. The email address is: ICEHumanTrafficking.HelpDesk@dhs.gov Partnerships ICE has long recognized the critical role that partnerships play in the global fight against human trafficking. In addition to the outreach to law enforcement and the NGO community conducted under the auspices of the TIP Strategy, ICE participates in the Department of Justice (DOJ) funded, locally led human trafficking task forces comprised of representatives from the state and local law enforcement, state prosecutors, local U.S. Attorney's Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and NGO partners. In September 2009, the HSI International Affairs hosted its first NGO Liaison Working Group Meeting. Representatives from over a dozen NGOs, the International Organization for Migration as well as Custom and Border Protection and other DHS offices shared information regarding their activities on forced labor and trafficking in persons. ICE is partnering with the Government of Mexico and DOJ to increase coordination and information sharing with Mexico's Procuraduría General de la República and to provide training and outreach to Mexican state and local prosecutors and investigators. ICE and DHS recognize that local, regional, national, and global partnerships are key to combating human trafficking. Trafficking Case Examples NGO Tip Leads to Rescue of 85 Trafficking Victims In New York, Peruvian migrants were subjected to forced labor and debt bondage. A husband and wife were sentenced to 11 and 15 years, respectively, for conspiracy to commit forced labor and document servitude, conspiracy to bring in and harbor aliens and engaging in extortionate credit transactions. Trafficker Arrested in Cameroon In Baltimore, a 10-year-old girl from Cameroon was brought to the U.S. for the purpose of domestic servitude and subjected to physical abuse and isolation. The trafficker fled the U.S. and was later arrested in Cameroon. The trafficker was brought back to the U.S. to serve a 17-year sentence for involuntary servitude and harboring for financial gain. The trafficker was ordered to pay $100,000 restitution to the victim. Trafficker Sentenced to 23 Years In Texas, four Mexican women were rescued from traffickers who raped them and forced the victims to cook and clean for them. Eight defendants were convicted of human smuggling/trafficking violations. The lead defendant was sentenced to 23 years for involuntary servitude. Sex Traffickers Sentenced to 40 years In Los Angeles, 15 women and girls were forced by a family-run human trafficking organization into prostitution. As a result of the investigation, seven Guatemalan and two Mexican nationals were found guilty of conspiracy, sex trafficking of children by force, and importation and harboring of illegal aliens for purposes of prostitution and sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from two to 40 years depending on their level of involvement. Cooperation with Mexican Law Enforcement Rescues 24 Victims In New York, an ICE-led investigation, in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, targeted a trafficking organization that smuggled Mexican women into the United States and then subjected them to commercial sexual exploitation. Twenty-four women were forced into prostitution at brothels on the East Coast through threats of violence against them and their children. The principal traffickers were sentenced to terms of imprisonment from 25 to 50 years each. The mother of the main defendants was arrested in Mexico and later extradited to the United States, where she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her involvement in the scheme. Russian, Ukrainian and Czech Labor Trafficking Victims Rescued in Detroit In Detroit, a concerned citizen reported women being forced to work against their will as exotic dancers. Ten women were brought to the United States through a visa fraud scheme where they were forced to work as dancers through threats of violence, sexual abuse, and threats of jail and deportation. The investigation resulted in the arrest and indictment of nine defendants. All of the defendants pleaded guilty and their sentences ranged from probation to 14 years imprisonment. Domestic Servitude Victim Rescued on Long Island On Long Island, ICE agents arrested a husband and wife as a result of a domestic servitude investigation. The couple was alleged to have held two Indonesian females in their residence where they were forced to perform domestic services. They were found guilty by a jury of forced labor, peonage, document servitude, harboring aliens and conspiracy. The wife was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and her husband was sentenced to three years. The jury ordered that their residence, valued at $1.5 million, be criminally forfeited in order to assist with victim restitution.

  
  
• ICE In Plain Sight Campaign :
  
  

  ICE gives voice to victims of human trafficking in the United States "Hidden in plain sight" theme shines a light on the problem of thousands estimated being held as modern-day slaves in the U.S. WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a media initiative to inform the public about the horrors and the prevalence of human trafficking, which is modern-day slavery. As part of ICE's continued efforts, the agency has unveiled an outdoor public service announcement campaign, "Hidden in Plain Sight," to draw the American public's attention to the plight of human-trafficking victims in the United States. The campaign message explains that human trafficking includes those who are sexually exploited or forced to work against their will. Posters, billboards and transit shelter signs were rolled out last month bearing the slogan "Hidden in Plain Sight." They are displayed in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, New York, St Paul, San Antonio, San Francisco and Tampa. The campaign's goal is to raise public awareness about the existence of human trafficking in communities nationwide, and asks members of the public to take action if they encounter possible victims.   Three short Public Service Announcements (PSAs) from ICE about human trafficking By going directly to the American public, ICE is hoping to root out the criminals associated with human trafficking. As the largest investigative agency in the Department of Homeland Security, ICE is poised to target individuals and companies suspected of using people as modern-day slaves. "Most Americans would be shocked to learn that slavery still exists in this day and age in communities throughout the country," said John Morton, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for ICE. "Because this heinous crime is extremely well-hidden, we need to help educate members of the public about human trafficking, and encourage them to keep alert for possible human trafficking victims." It is estimated that 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked around the world each year. These victims are trafficked into the commercial sex trade, and into forced-labor situations. Many of these victims are lured from their homes with false promises of well-paying jobs; instead, they are forced or coerced into prostitution, domestic servitude, farm or factory labor, or other types of forced labor. The greatest challenge in combating human trafficking is victim identification. Surprisingly, many people are unaware that this form of modern-day slavery occurs every day in the United States. These victims may end up in a foreign country. They are often unable to speak the language and have no one to advocate for them. Traffickers often take away the victims' travel and identity documents. They tell their victims that if they attempt to escape, their families back home will be either physically or financially harmed. ICE is asking for the public's help to remain alert to recognize and identify victims of modern-day slavery who are in our midst. They are domestic servants, sweat-shop employees, sex workers and fruit pickers who were lured here by the promise of prosperity. Ultimately, they are forced to work without pay and are unable to leave their situation. ICE is committed to giving them the help they need to come forward and help us end human trafficking with vigorous enforcement and tough penalties. As a primary mission area, ICE has the overall goal of preventing human trafficking in the United States by prosecuting the traffickers, and rescuing and protecting the victims. One example that demonstrates the horrors of human trafficking is regarding a family of four in Newark, N.J. Lassissi Afolabi, Akouavi Kpade Afolabi, Derek Hounakey and Geoffrey Kouevi were all indicted in the District of New Jersey on numerous charges, including: visa fraud, forced labor, trafficking, transportation of a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, smuggling and harboring aliens for commercial advantage and financial gain. Their scheme involved smuggling young African women into the United States under assumed identities, and forcing them to work in hair-braiding salons in the Newark, N.J., area. The women worked six to seven days a week, eight to 12 hours per day. They were not allowed to keep the money they earned. Some of the victims were also subjected to physical and sexual abuse, and were held in servitude for more than five years. Ultimately, all the defendants were convicted or pleaded guilty to the charges and are awaiting sentencing. In Atlanta, Ga., Amador Cortes-Meza, Francisco Cortes-Meza, Raul Cortes-Meza, Juan Cortes-Meza and Edison Wagner Rosa-Tort were indicted for adult and child sex trafficking. They physically abused young women and girls, some of whom were as young as 14 years of age. The victims were held against their will, and forced into prostitution. To force them to work as prostitutes in the Atlanta area, some of the victims were beaten, threatened, or their families in Mexico were threatened. At least one of the co-defendants was always present in the home where the women lived to monitor them and direct the prostitution work. None of the victims were allowed to leave the house unaccompanied. The victims often had to service 20 to 30 men each night. Some of the $25 prostitution charge went to the drivers who transported the young women to the "johns." However, the majority of the money was kept by the traffickers. Earlier this year, four of the six defendants pleaded guilty to sex trafficking, which carries a minimum 10-year sentence; another pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. The last defendant is pending judicial action. All other defendants are pending sentencing. Anyone who knows or suspects that someone is being forced to work against their will should contact the ICE tip line anonymously at 866-DHS-2-ICE. You can also view or download the video Public Service Announcement at: www.ice.gov For the most up-to-date ICE information, sign up for ICE e-mail alerts. You may also visit us on: Twitter and YouTube

Support for Victims

ICE recognizes that the severe consequences of human trafficking continue even after the perpetrators have been arrested and held accountable. ICE's Victim Assistance Program helps to coordinate services in support of human trafficking victims.

To report instances of suspected human trafficking, please contact ICE at : 1-866-DHS-2ICE