Our Policy Agenda
Freedom Network USA engages with federal agencies and lawmakers to advance a human rights based approach to human trafficking. We promote policies that address the root causes of trafficking, guarantee the protections and rights of trafficked persons, and encourage survivor leadership in efforts to combat human trafficking. Our current policy agenda and priorities can be found here.
Current Advocacy Efforts
Protecting Federal Grant Funding for Trafficking Victim Legal Services
Join Freedom Network USA in urging DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to protect access to legal representation in vacatur and expungement cases. These state laws allow trafficking survivors to clear their records of crimes they were forced to commit by their traffickers. Clearing these records helps to restore survivor’s dignity, as well as their access to housing, employment, education, and other critical services. Read our sign on letter for organizations and individuals and then sign on.
Protecting Child Trafficking Survivors
Freedom Network USA is committed to ensuring child victims of trafficking have expeditious access to the services and support they need. FNUSA advocates on behalf of both foreign-born and US citizens by supporting programs that provide youth-based services, weighing in on immigration policy and participating in open dialog with government agencies who fund services.
Reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
Freedom Network USA continues to call for the swift reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. FNUSA worked closely with congressional staff during the drafting process to ensure that all survivors have access to services, law enforcement efforts target the arrest of traffickers and the federal government prioritizes prevention efforts that address root causes. Read our op-ed in the Hill.
Letters and Memorandum
Freedom Network USA engages in advocacy efforts through in person meetings, collaborative events, and written communications. A sample of our recent advocacy efforts are included below.
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on DHS’ Proposed Changes to Asylum Criminal Bars – January 2020
- FNUSA Submits Comments to the State Department For the 2020 TIP Report – January 2020
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on DHS’ Proposed Changes to Asylum-based EAD Processing – November 2019
- Freedom Network USA’s Jean Bruggeman’s Written Testimony to the Little Hoover Commission Labor Trafficking Hearing – November 2019
- Freedom Network USA Submits Final Comments on Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Data Collection – November 2019
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on HHS’ Survey for Youth Exiting Foster Care – November 2019
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on Evaluation for the HHS National Human Trafficking Hotline – October 2019
- Freedom Network USA’s Jean Bruggeman’s Written Testimony to the Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security – September 2019
- Freedom Network USA Criticizes HUD for Unexpected Cancellation of Vital Services for Human Trafficking Survivors – September 2019
- FNUSA Submits Comments to HHS’ OTIP on Prevention Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking – August 2019
- FNUSA, HEAL Trafficking, and NSN Submit Opposition to HHS’ Nondiscrimination Policy Change– August 2019
- FNUSA Tells Congress to Oppose Harmful Guestworker Appropriations Riders– June 2019
- FNUSA Submits Comments in Opposition to HUD’s Proposed Mixed-Status Rule Change – June 2019
- FNUSA Submits Comments on DHS’ Proposed Fee Waiver Policy – May 2019
- FNUSA Submits Comments on DHS’ Proposed Fraud Tip Form – April 2019
- FNUSA, ATEST, and ILRWG Co-Host Congressional Hearing on Countering Human Trafficking – March 2019
- FNUSA Submits Comments to HHS on Data Collection Practices for the Trafficking Victims Assistance Program – February 2019
- Freedom Network USA Joins ATEST in Opposition to Border Wall Rhetoric – February 2019
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments to the State Department for the 2019 TIP Report – January 2019
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on USCIS’ Proposed Public Charge Changes – December 2018
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on USCIS’ Proposed Fee Waiver Changes – November 2018
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on DHS’ Proposed Flores Regulations – November 2018
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on Social Inclusion of Human Trafficking Survivors to the UN Special Rapporteur – November 2018
- Freedom Network USA Responds to the 2018 Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report – August 2018
- Freedom Network USA Submits Input for the 2018 Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report – January 2018
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on Proposed Child Eligibility Form to OTIP – September 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Questions for Stanton Confirmation – September 2017
- FNUSA Urges Caution in CDA Reform – September 2017
- Freedom Network USA Responds to the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report – September 2017
- FNUSA Submits Funding Recommendations to OTIP and OVC – August 2017
- Freedom Network USA Joins Over 400 NGOs in Opposition to the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kate’s Law,– June 2017
- Freedom Network USA and Alliance to End Slavery & Human Trafficking (ATEST) – Joint Statement on the Protection of Children Act of 2017 (H.R. 495)– June 2017
- ATEST FNUSA Joint Statement on Protections for UACs – June 2017
- ICE FOIA Response Detailing Continued Presence Directive – May 2017
- FNUSA and ATEST Submit Comments on Sanctuary Cities – April 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Feedback for White House Anti-Trafficking Meeting – March 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Questions for Sessions Nomination – February 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments on Proposed Rule for J-1 Visa Program – February 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Comments to DHS on T VIsa Interim Rule – February 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Questions for Puzder Nomination – January 2017
- Freedom Network USA Submits Questions for Price Nomination – January 2017
- Freedom Network USA Input for 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report – January 2017
- Freedom Network USA stands with ACLU for reproductive rights – Statement on TVAP grant awards
Policy Papers
Collaborative Efforts
Freedom Network USA is committed to solutions that address the root causes of human trafficking
- FNUSA joins Call on Congress Against Gag Rule in FY2020 Appropriations- September 2019
- FNUSA joins NIJC’s call on Congressional Leaders to Fight Budget Increases for Immigration Enforcement- September 2019
- FNUSA Joins in Call on USCIS to Resume Adjudication of Deferred Action Applications – September 2019
- FNUSA Joins Call to Protect Refugee Admissions – August 2019
- FNUSA Joins Opposition to S.1494, Calls for Protection of US Asylum System – July 2019
- FNUSA Joins in Call to Protect Asylum Seekers and Oppose ‘Operation Safe Return – July 2019
- FNUSA Joins in Call to End Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention – June 2019
- FNUSA Joins in Supporting Increases in DOL’s Wage and Hour Division Budget in the FY20 Appropriations Bills – June 2019
- FNUSA Calls on DHS to Stop Surveillance Activities
- FNUSA Joins Support of the American Dream and Promise Act
- FNUSA Joins Call Protect the Flores Settlement Agreement and Keep Immigrant Children Safe
- FNUSA Joins LGBTQ Organizations’ and Allies’ Call for Full Funding of Legal Services Corporation
- FNUSA Urges DHS to Halt “Remain In Mexico” Protocol
- FNUSA Joins 400+ Organizations Asking Congress to Protect and Restore the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
- FNUSA Signs Rejecting the End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act
- FNUSA Supports Raise the Wage Act 2019 and Calls on Congress to Pass Legislation
- FNUSA Joins 150+ Organizations in Response to Asylum Ban
- FNUSA Joins 100+ Groups to Call on Government to Stop Using Information from Children to Deport their Family Members
- FNUSA Joins Member NIJC in Urging Congress to Explicitly Preclude DHS from Expending Funds on Detention
- FNUSA Joins Women’s Refugee Commission to Oppose Family Detention Expansion
- FNUSA urging Congress to deny ICE extra funding for detention and enforcement
- FNUSA Urges USCIS to Stop Denying Fee Waivers for Crime Victims
- FNUSA Urges State Department to do more to Protect Domestic Workers
- FNUSA Joins the AFL-CIO to Oppose Changes to USCIS’ Unlawful Presence Determination Process
- FNUSA Joins the Value Our Families Campaign to Oppose HR 4760
- FNUSA Joins Center for Reproductive Rights to Urge ICE Not to Detain Pregnant Women
- FNUSA Urges DOL to Release Information on Proposed Tip-Pooling Rule
- Key Findings of CAST, FNUSA, and Polaris 2017 Social Service, Advocate and Legal Service Survey Regarding Immigrant Survivors of Human Trafficking
- FNUSA Urges Congress to Oppose Attacks Children Immigrants
- FNUSA Requests Meeting with Secretary Duke on Refugee Processing
- FNUSA Opposes Puzder Nomination with National Domestic Workers Alliance
- FNUSA Opposes Executive Order and DHS Implementation Memos with ASISTA Immigration Assistance
- FNUSA Supports of Milk with Dignity Campaign with CIW
- FNUSA Opposes passage of Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act
- FNUSA Opposes End to DACA Program with New York Anti-Trafficking Network
- FNUSA Opposes ICE Request to Reprogram Funds for Detention Costs with National Immigrant Justice Center
- FNUSA Opposes USCIS Director Nomination with Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- FNUSA Supports Dream Act and Opposes the Succeed Act with National Immigrant Law Center
- FNUSA Opposes ICE Raids on UACs and their Sponsors with Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- FNUSA Urges Senate to Maintain Existing Funding for UAC Program
- FNUSA Opposes Immigrant Detention Expansion