ICE agents draw fire of handling North Texas human trafficking cases

By Jack Douglas Jr., CBS 11 News
February 29, 2012 10:10 PM

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A recently retired Dallas Police officer, with 32 years of law enforcement experience, has spoken out against the way some federal immigration agents handle human-trafficking cases in North Texas, adding to a chorus of criticism revealed only in a CBS 11 News investigation.

“They don’t take the time to look at everything,” retired lawman Joe Thompson told CBS 11’s investigative reporter Ginger Allen.

Thompson, who spent the last seven years with the Dallas Police Department as a vice and human-trafficking investigator, was referring to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency in North Texas.

In an exclusive report last week, CBS 11 was told by two Fort Worth police officers that ICE declined to treat as a victim a young Honduran woman who was believed by others to have been taken to North Texas by an abusive trafficker.

The suspect, instead of being prosecuted as a trafficker, was deported back to Honduras. The suspect then re-entered the United States late last year, nearly catching up to the woman again in a different state until ICE agents there stepped in and rescued her.

While working as a DPD human-trafficking investigator, Thompson said he was repeatedly frustrated when he tried to get help from ICE agents in North Texas. Instead of treating the women as victims, according to Thompson, agents often treated them only as people who were in the country illegally.

“They get in too big of a hurry … they take somebody into custody, they talk to them for a few minutes, and then make their decision … Their decision is deportation,” Thompson told Allen.

READ FULL STORY AT CBS DFW...

Modern Slavery in Arlington, TX

Nigerian Woman Explains Escaping Enslavement In Arlington Home

February 20, 2012 9:56 PM

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – A woman who was held captive inside an Arlington house for nine years shared her story with CBS 11, explaining how she survived and escaped after she was tricked and forced into captivity.

This woman, who requested to be called Cindy, didn’t ask that we disguise her voice, or hide her face.

Cindy only asked that she wear a pair of dark sunglasses.

She thought she was coming to Texas from Nigeria to work as a nanny for Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji.

Instead, she was enslaved in their Arlington house for nine years.

The couple forced her to take care of their three children, and do all the chores 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cindy says she never had a break, never had a day off, and never had any time for herself. She said, “I had no choice” in the Nnaji’s house.

Cindy was never allowed to leave, not even to go to church.

READ FULL CBS DFW STORY...

The Hidden Faces of Modern-Day Slavery (NPR "TALK OF THE NATION")

I heard this story on NPR last month and wanted to share it on the blog. You can read the full transcript and download the radio broadcast at http://www.npr.org/2012/02/28/147580896/the-hidden-faces-of-modern-day-slavery.

You can listen to the whole story at http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=147580896&m=147580887

February 28, 2012

Guests

Given Kachepa, victim of human trafficking
Sandy Shepherd, Given Kachepa's adoptive mother
Bradley Myles, executive director and CEO, Polaris Project

Copyright © 2012 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.

JOHN DONVAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. Neal Conan is away. You've heard the story before of human sex trafficking as a form of modern slavery. It is real, and it is widespread, and it is not going away. But neither is a much broader category of industries known to use enslavement in order to make profits, and it's not just brothels, it can be a nail salon, a restaurant, a farm.

It can even be and has been that young person knocking on your door selling magazines. He's pleasant, he's clearly working, but he's also making no money, and he cannot escape that situation; he is a slave.

Law enforcement and state legislators are working on the problem. They have bills to strengthen penalties against traffickers on the move in West Virginia and in Florida, but it's actually so prevalent that they need other eyes and ears, like yours, to spot this happening, not that it's necessarily an easy thing to do. And who is so sure that they can actually recognize slavery of this type and then go and report it?

Well, we're going to start with the story of a woman who did just that in just a moment, but have you seen this in your community, and if so, what did you do? Tell us your story. Our number is 800-989-8255. Our email is talk@npr.org. And you can also join the conversation at our website. Go to npr.org, and click on TALK OF THE NATION.

Later on in the program, Laura Vanderkam joins us. She wants you to know that you're not really quite as busy as you say you are. But first, we're joined by Sandy Shepherd. She is a resident of Colleyville, Texas, and she picked up the phone one day after she suspected something fishy in a very unlikely place: a boys' choir from Zambia performing in her community near Dallas. She joins us on the phone from her home in Colleyville, Texas. Sandy, welcome to TALK OF THE NATION.

SANDY SHEPHERD: Thank you very much.

DONVAN: So Sandy, a boys' choir performing, and you suspect something, something is very wrong there. What did you see?

SHEPHERD: Well, I was associated first of all with a choir that was from 1996 to 1998, and we recognized that the boys had been promised to be paid for their work, that their families were going to be getting money, that they were going to get an education and that the money that they earned was going to be building a school in their community in Zambia.

And what we realized was that none of this was happening, and they had not had any TB of HIV testing at that time, and one of the boys actually came down with active tuberculosis. And so we began to notify people and try to get help for these kids, even talking to the FBI.

DONVAN: And did people want to hear you on this? Were they hearing you on it?

SHEPHERD: They were listening, but even the FBI said, you know, they weren't shackled, they weren't chained. They were free to walk in the area out in the country where they were being housed while they were on tour. But we knew that they were being exploited and couldn't get anybody to believe that in 1996 through 1998.

DONVAN: Well, one of the young men who was in that choir, who actually with your help escaped that situation, and we'll get into that, but one of those young men is actually able to join us now. Given Kachepa is online with us where he is now actually in a life that has evolved dramatically for the better, in dental school. Given, welcome to the program.

GIVEN KACHEPA: Thank you for having me. I'm glad to be here.

READ FULL NPR TRANSCRIPT...

Dallas area non-profit events supporting victims of human trafficking and violence

Below is an email I received from Mosaic Family Services in Dallas. I live in the Dallas area and wholly support Mosaic. They have some great events coming up that I invite everyone to attend who lives in the DFW area. Dear John, Thank you for your ongoing support of Mosaic and our efforts to serve refugee and immigrant survivors of violence! Mosaic is unique in providing legal protection for victims as well as food, shelter, counseling, and case management. Our Multicultural Legal Services Program assists victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in both immigration and family law. Many of the laws that protect our clients and the funding that helps us to provide legal services is made available under the Violence Against Women Act, which is up for reauthorization this year. To learn more about the reauthorization process and how to contact your Senator about supporting VAWA, check out 4vawa.org      Upcoming Events  Benefit Dinner at Desta Ethiopian Restaurant . From 5:30-11pm on Monday, March 5, Desta Ethiopian Restaurant will donate 10% of all proceeds to Mosaic Family Services. Come eat a delicious Ethiopian dinner and support Mosaic at the same time!  Join us at:  12101 Greenville Ave, Suite 105  Dallas, TX 75243   5K and 1 Mile Run  Benefiting Mosaic Family Services Join us on Saturday, May 12th to learn more about human trafficking in the Dallas area and what you can do help stop it! Click here to Register For more information go to www.mosaicservices.org/events Thank you again for your support. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! Many thanks,   Laura Haynes Development Director  Mosaic Family Services

Journalist and author Lucia Mann writes new book on modern slavery

In January, MSNBC.com posted a report of its four-month investigation into a slavery network emanating in Eastern Europe. Every year, it says, some 200,000 women and girls are  smuggled out of impoverished former Soviet countries and sent to the Middle East, Western Europe and the United States, where they’re held captive.

In Haiti, UNICEF reported thousands of children were illegally trafficked out of the country following the devastating earthquakes two years ago. Selling orphaned children as slaves is a common problem following natural disasters, it says.

“Modern-day slavery is an even bigger problem than it was during the years of legalized slave trade from Africa to the Americas,” says Lucia Mann, the daughter of a woman who was held as a sex slave in South Africa in the 1940s. Mann, a former journalist, tells a slightly fictionalized version of her family’s story in Rise Above Hate & Anger (www.luciamann.com).

There are ways individuals can help end the suffering and reach out a hand to victims, says Mann, who created the Modern-Day Slave Reporting Centre as a tool to address the problem. Here are details about the reporting center and other resources.

• At The Modern-Day Slave Reporting Centre, www.mdsrc.org, anyone who suspects a person is being held captive, or any person who is being held their will, can file a report. The information will be reported to law enforcement officers and the person filing can request they remain a confidential source. The Web site also includes links to relevant law-enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States.

• At www.slaveryfootprint.org, people can take a short online survey that calculates the number of slaves working for you around the world based on the clothes, cars, electronic items and other consumer goods you own. The number is calculated according to what’s known about slave labor in the regions where the raw materials are produced and the goods are manufactured. (Google Chrome is required to take the survey.)

• At www.chainstorereaction.com, are email prepared letters and surveys to any of 1,566 companies asking what steps they’re taking to ensure no slave labor is used in their supply chains. Companies who complete the survey and go out of their way to describe ongoing and current efforts are tagged with a “Thank You.” Companies that complete the survey are tagged with “View Response.” As of mid-January, 70 companies ranging from Fruit of the Loom to Campbell’s Soup had earned a “Thank You.” Another 25, including Avon and Best Buy, had completed the survey. Most, though, had not responded despite numerous emails. Duracell, for instance, was sent 432 emails and Bounty was sent 221.

• In California, the Transparency in Supply Chains Act became effective Jan. 1. It requires retailers and manufacturers with gross receipts of $100 million to disclose what they’ve done – or haven’t done – to eliminate slavery in their supply chains. While there are no punitive consequences, advocates say the law will raise awareness and allow consumers to reward or punish companies with their shopping choices. Residents of other states can lobby legislators for a similar law.

“There is nowhere in the world now where slavery is legal, and yet more than 27 million people are held captive as forced laborers or sex slaves,” Mann says. “That’s more than twice the number enslaved during 400 years of trans-Atlantic trading.

Raising Americans’ awareness and concern is the first step to ending slavery, Mann says.“If there is no money to be made from enslaving people, it will end.”

About Lucia Mann

Lucia Mann was born in British colonial South Africa in the wake of World War II and lives in British Columbia, Canada. She retired from freelance journalism in 1998 and wrote Rise Above Hate & Anger to give voice to those who suffered brutalities and captivity decades ago.

IJM Gets First Conviction of 2012

I received this email from Sean Litton with the International Justice Mission recently. It's always great to hear about success stories like this.

Dear John,

Last week, our lawyers in Guatemala secured a conviction against a man who sexually abused his 10-year-old nephew, Ricardo.*

It was IJM Guatemala’s first conviction of the year. But more importantly, it was a huge milestone for Ricardo, who continues to heal from the abuse with support from our social workers and his family.

"Ricardo, he is a fighter," says IJM Guatemala social worker Delmi Ramirez. "He has a strong desire to move forward from here."

Imagine the courage it took for this brave boy to testify in court earlier this month against the man who had robbed him of so much. Ricardo is now studying in school, and he recently told us that he wants to be a lawyer when he grows up.

Thank you for being a part of the fight for children like Ricardo. Together, we are moving forward.

Gratefully,

Sean Litton
Vice President of Field Operations

U.S. officials visit Burma to open dialogue regarding human trafficking

This past December, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton visited Burma, also known as Myanmar, in a start to a tentative rebuilding of relations after 50 years of estrangement between the two countries.

Secretary Clinton met with the Burmese Prime Minister and parliament officials in the new capital of Naypyitaw. She also met with the pro-democratic opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released from house arrest in November 2010 after nearly 15 years.

In addition, 651 imprisoned political activists were freed and received amnesty from the Burmese government on January 13, 2012. This marks an important step in the right direction for democracy and social change in a one of the world's most reclusive countries.

Earlier this month, Luis CdeBaca, Ambassador-at-Large of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, also traveled to Burma and met with Burmese leaders to discuss reforms and efforts to combat trafficking and forced labor. Since the of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report was created by the U.S. Department of State, Burma has received the lowest Tier 3 ranking each year. In a press conference from the U.S. Embassy in Burma, Ambassador CdeBaca candidly discussed conversations with Burmese leaders, what improvements are being made to combat modern slavery and what still needs to take place.

 Click to read the full Q&A media session with Ambassador CdeBaca.  I highly suggest reading it.

Pro-democratic opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi

U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton meets with Aung San Suu Kyi

U.S. special ambassadors Derek Mitchell, left, and Lois CdeBaca, right, and Aung San Suu Kyi after talks at her home in Rangoon. Photo: Mizzima

How to Recognize and Report Human Trafficking

When people ask me questions about modern slavery and human trafficking, often the questions is asked, "How can I tell if someone is a victim?"

There is no exact science. Knowing if someone is a human trafficking victim is similar to finding out if someone is being abused. There are some definite warning signs to look for and questions to ask. You may never find or report a case of human trafficking, but if you know what to look for and how to report it, you can be aware of your surroundings and know what to do if you notice something suspicious.

The U.S. Department of State suggests the following key indicators to look for and questions to ask if you suspect human trafficking. These are good rules to keep in mind whenever you go out. Many victims have been saved when concerned citizens noticed things out of place while at the spa, salon, gas stations, rest stops, farms, restaraunts, etc...

Human Trafficking Indicators

While not an exhaustive list, these are some key red flags that could alert you to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported:

• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped space
• Inability to speak to individual alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
• Signs of physical abuse
• Submissive or fearful
• Unpaid or paid very little
• Under 18 and in prostitution

Questions to Ask

Assuming you have the opportunity to speak with a potential victim privately and without jeopardizing the victim’s safety because the trafficker is watching, here are some sample questions to ask to follow up on the red flags you became alert to:

• Can you leave your job if you want to?
• Can you come and go as you please?
• Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave?
• Has your family been threatened?
• Do you live with your employer?
• Where do you sleep and eat?
• Are you in debt to your employer?
• Do you have your passport/identification? Who has it?

Where to Get Help

If you believe you have identified someone still in the trafficking situation, alert law enforcement immediately at the numbers provided below. It may be unsafe to attempt to rescue a trafficking victim. You have no way of knowing how the trafficker may react and retaliate against the victim and you. If, however, you identify a victim who has escaped the trafficking situation, there are a number of organizations to whom the victim could be referred for help with shelter, medical care, legal assistance, and other critical services. In this case, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center described below.

911 Emergency
For urgent situations, notify local law enforcement immediately by calling 911. You may also want to alert the National Human Trafficking Resource Center described below so that they can ensure response by law enforcement officials knowledgeable about human trafficking.

1-888-3737-888 National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, a national 24-hour, toll-free, multilingual anti-trafficking hotline. Call 1-888-3737-888 to report a tip; connect with anti-trafficking services in your area; or request training and technical assistance, general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources. The Center is equipped to handle calls from all regions of the United States from a wide range of callers including, but not limited to: potential trafficking victims, community members, law enforcement, medical professionals, legal professionals, service providers, researchers, students, and policymakers.

Source: U.S. Department of State Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons

President Obama Declares January as National Slavery Prevention Month

On December 30, 2011, President Obama declared January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In separate presidential proclamations he also declared January as Mentoring Month and Stalker Awareness month.

Presidential proclamations have long been a way for U.S. Presidents to share their opinions regarding numerous issues and offer good PR.  Typically not much comes from these proclamations, but I hope something does come from this one. 

I hope it raises awareness. I hope it strengthens those organizations and individuals working against modern slavery. It is heart-wrenching work and I hope they know they are appreciated. I hope it reminds us of the millions of victims of slavery worldwide. I hope it reminds us to pray for them.  I hope it stirs up feelings strong enough to take action this month, even just one action, to combat human trafficking.  I hope it brings hope and reinforcements in this struggle.

Below is a list of ways you can help this month. Afterwards you can read the full record of President Obama's proclamation. There are over 27 million slaves worldwide and we can help. 

WAYS YOU CAN HELP THIS MONTH:

1. Save the National Human Trafficking hotline on your phone. (1-888-3737-888) If you notice anything suspicious, don't hesitate to call. You can learn more about the signs of human trafficking on their website.

2. Get educated. Read a book about modern slavery. If you're part of a book club, suggest a book on the subject. See my suggested reading list.

3. Sign petitions online. Change.org makes it simple to sign petitions or start your own regarding human trafficking. You can help pass new legislation, change company policies and influence politicians. It's easy. Just go to http://humantrafficking.change.org/

4. Link to articles via your personal Twitter, Facebook, eMail and Blogs.

5. Donate money to non-profit organizations combating modern slavery. There are many out there. Here are just a few. Free the Slaves, International Justice Mission, Not For Sale and Love146.

6. Repeat steps 1-5.

Presidential Proclamation -- National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Nearly a century and a half ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation -- a document that reaffirmed the noble goals of equality and freedom for all that lie at the heart of what it means to live in America.  In the years since, we have tirelessly pursued the realization and protection of these essential principles.  Yet, despite our successes, thousands of individuals living in the United States and still more abroad suffer in silence under the intolerable yoke of modern slavery.  During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations, and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.

Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders.  Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women, and children of all ages.  Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication.  From forced labor and debt bondage to forced commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, human trafficking leaves no country untouched.  With this knowledge, we rededicate ourselves to forging robust international partnerships that strengthen global anti-trafficking efforts, and to confronting traffickers here at home.

My Administration continues to implement our comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in America.  By coordinating our response across Federal agencies, we are working to protect victims of human trafficking with effective services and support, prosecute traffickers through consistent enforcement, and prevent human rights abuses by furthering public awareness and addressing the root causes of modern slavery.  The steadfast defense of human rights is an essential part of our national identity, and as long as individuals suffer the violence of slavery and human trafficking, we must continue the fight.

With the start of each year, we commemorate the anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and submitted to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. 

These documents stand as testaments to the gains we have made in pursuit of freedom and justice for all, and they remind us of the work that remains to be done.  This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.  Together, and in cooperation with our partners around the world, we can work to end this terrible injustice and protect the rights to life and liberty entrusted to us by our forebears and owed to our children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1.  I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Google donates $11.5 million to combat slavery

At the end of each year Google makes a series of donations to organizations and causes. This year they are giving one of their largest gifts ever in the tune of $11.5 million to fight modern-slavery. This is also the largest ever corporate grant given towards anti-trafficking efforts.

"Many people are surprised to learn there are more people trapped in slavery today than any time in history," said Jacquelline Fuller, director of charitable giving and advocacy for Google. "The good news is that there are solutions."

The International Justice Mission was chosen by Google to lead the efforts with this grant. Personally, I think they made a great choice. Earlier this year I had the chance to attend an IJM dinner in Dallas and meet Gary Haugen, President of the International Justice Mission.  They are an effective, caring and diligent organization that will use the funds properly. Google did their homework.

The International Justice Mission will partner with the Polaris Project, Slavery Footprint and a handful of other NGO's in a multi-year effort to rescue those enslaved.

Here is how IJM President Gary Haugen said the money will be used.

• $3.5 million intervention project to fight forced labor in India.
• $4.5 million advocacy campaign in India to educate and protect the vulnerable.
• $1.8 million plan to mobilize Americans in behalf of slavery in the United States and around the world.
• Remaining $1.7 million to be distributed to several smaller organizations combating slavery.

"It's hard for most Americans to believe that slavery and human trafficking are still massive problems in our world," said Haugen. "Google's support now makes it possible for IJM to join forces with two other leading organizations so we can bring to bear our unique strengths in a united front."

The organizations leading these efforts will meet Wednesday in Washington D.C. to begin the new initiative. Focuses within the U.S. will aim at helping Americans understand where and how modern-slavery occurs and things that everyday Americans can do to prevent it, such as knowing where their clothing and goods come from, understanding signs of human trafficking and reporting to the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-3737-888, which is part of the Polaris Project. 

"Whether it's by calling the national human trafficking hotline, sending a letter to their senator, or using online advocacy tools, millions of Americans will be able to use their voices to ensure that ending this problem becomes a top priority," said Bradley Myles, executive director of Polaris Project.

"Having a company like Google recognize the value of our work marks a major turning point for the anti-slavery movement," said Justin Dillon, founder of Slavery Footprint. His organization provides consumers tools to determine whether slavery is found in the supply chain of products and makes efforts to help companies and consumers remove slavery from supply chains.