1. SERVING UNDOCUMENTED SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Karen Romero
Training Institute Director
Freedom Network USA

2. FREEDOM NETWORK USA
National membership network of 68 individuals and organizations
All are providing services to or advocacy on behalf of trafficking survivors
Members support all survivors of all types of trafficking
Human rights-based approach that prioritizes self determination, choice and non-judgmental services and support

3. AWARENESS TEST
It’s easy to miss something that we aren’t looking for or even aware about. How many of you by raise of hands have interacted with a victim or survivor of human trafficking? We’ll discuss this further, but it’s likely that your organization has encountered survivors of trafficking whether you realized it at the time or not.

4. WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
An individual is exploited through
Force
Fraud
Coercion
for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sex OR OR
When we are referring to as commercial sex and value doesn't have to mean money or something that the minor victims deems as valuable.
Action- refers to the actions that a trafficker takes
Means- Is what the trafficker employs
Purpose- is the end goal
For example, a young man can be promised a teaching job by a family friend, once he goes to that state for the job, he finds out he’s not getting paid and that he actually will be working in the fields. He is not paid and he is told he is now in debt and must work to pay off his trip as well as the rent he is accruing.
The action is Induce, the mean is fraud, and the purpose is labor trafficking.

5. TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT
Enacted in October 2000
Created new federal human trafficking crimes
Created new immigration relief for foreign national victims
Authorized funding for human trafficking services and prevention efforts for immigrants, US Citizens, and Lawful Permanent residents
Authorized specialized services for minors
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act or TVPA allows victims of human trafficking, regardless of immigration status to be protected under the federal law.

6. WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN? Domestic service Commercial sex work Factories
Agriculture
Construction
Restaurant work
Hotel/motel housekeeping
Healthcare
Other informal labor sectors
Human trafficking happens and can happen in any sector. Undocumented individuals often additional vulnerabilities that may make them susceptible or a target for traffickers. Traffickers utilize a undocumented individual immigration status or lack of status to exploit them.

7. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS? Loss of personal identity and/or travel documents
No/very low pay
Working to pay off a debt
Physical, sexual or psychological abuse
Threats of deportation
Loss of freedom of movement
Inability to communicate with family, friends, community
Unsafe working/living conditions
Minors engaged in commercial sex
You may see signs of human trafficking as you work with clients who are homeless. If you are unsure but believe the person may be in a situation of trafficking, you can connect with your local anti-trafficking organization, the national human trafficking hotline, or in emergencies call 911. It’s always important to discuss with the potential victim and ensure that they have a say in any referral.

8. WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS?
Housing and food
Intensive case management
Interpretation/translation services
Legal services
Education
Job training and placement
Medical, dental, and mental health care
Transportation
Victim advocacy
Do these needs look similar to the population you are already serving? They probably do, survivors of human trafficking like those who are homeless have many of the same needs. For undocumented survivors, it is critical that they be connected to a legal services organization who can counsel them potential options for their immigration case. Undocumented survivors of trafficking have the possibility of applying for a t-visa, u-visa, SIJS, and may have access to continued presence (CP).

9. UNDOCUMENTED SURVIVORS
May have had visa or other legal entry
Visa may tie them to one employer
Fear of law enforcement
Fear of deportation
Threats to family in home country
Language barriers
Cultural background
The majority of individuals who have experienced human trafficking do self-identify as a survivor or victim of human trafficking. For foreign-born nationals, they often are led to believe that the “working conditions” are normal and often believe that they owe a debt and most often than not that debt keeps accumulating.

10. CHALLENGES Some survivors have a criminal history
Human trafficking is not a familiar crime
Resource limitations
Few specialized service providers
Others?
When it comes to seeking assistance or resources, there are challenges that can lead to lack of identification.

11. SERVICES AVAILABLE TO UNDOCUMNTED SURVIVORS
Any adult who receives HHS certification can access the same benefits and services as refugees.
Public Housing Programs
Medicaid
Cash Assistance
T-Visa recipients
4 years work authorization
Can adjust to become legal permanent resident (“green card” holder) after 3 years with
There are resources available to survivors of trafficking, that other undocumented individuals may not have access to.
It’s important to consult with an attorney to access legal remedies for undocumented individuals
The Department of Health and Human Services issues certification letters to foreign national adults who have experience trafficking. This certification can be requested by an attorney or anti-trafficking organization.
For those who have HHS certification, they can access public housing programs, receive Medicaid, may have access to cash assistance, job corps, student financial aid, among other things.

12. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Learn more about human trafficking in your jurisdiction
Collaborate with a local victim service program, identify possible housing resources
Review housing programs in your jurisdiction and remove any barriers to victims
Collaborate with local service providers to meet the needs of trafficking survivors
Talking and identifying potential victims of human trafficking may seem overwhelming. You are not alone. There are victim-services and anti-trafficking organizations that can be a resource. Many anti-trafficking service providers can connect survivors with programs that can provide financial assistance to cover costs for rent, food, clothing, transportation, etc.

13. CONNECT WITH US Freedomnetworkusa
CONNECT WITH US Freedomnetworkusa.org Karen Romero
Please connect with us.
"This document was produced by the Freedom Network Training Institute under Grant Number 2017-VT-BX-K018, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice."