Follow us here to stay up to date on human trafficking policy, hear about training opportunities and events, and learn more about what’s happening in the anti-trafficking field.
Melinda Smith |
Standing Tall: A Vision of Freedom in Times of Change
Across the country people are living in fear. Immigrants are afraid to come forward to report crimes committed against them. They are afraid to cooperate with law enforcement, which only decreases the likelihood that their traffickers will be brought to…
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Freedom Network Community |
Restricted from Participating in the Community
Imagine that it is the annual zoo field trip at your son’s elementary school. You are very excited to chaperone your first event and spend extra time with your son. You reach out to the school to sign up to…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Welcomes Maria M. Odom to Board
Freedom Network USA is thrilled to welcome Maria Odom to its board. The entire FNUSA community is grateful for her service and looks forward to her contributions. Maria M. Odom recently served as the DHS Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Receives Grant to Increase Access to Housing for Human Trafficking Survivors
Freedom Network USA has been awarded $849,980 to improve access to housing for trafficking survivors. The three-year grant will support the Freedom Network Training Institute Housing Training and Technical Assistance Project. The Freedom Network Training Institute (FNTI), the training arm…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Submits Feedback to Protect Trafficked Children
FNUSA submitted comments today in response to a request for feedback from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). The agency is attempting to revise the form that must be submitted for children who…
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Melinda Smith |
Important Survey on Human Trafficking and the Administration’s Policies
As the current administration reshapes the government budget and immigration enforcement policy in this country, we are interested to understand the impact of these efforts on human trafficking survivors in your communities. As front line advocates and direct service providers,…
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Jean Bruggeman |
Standing on the Side of Justice
It is important for all people and organizations to speak out about what they believe. We must state clearly and without hesitation, that Freedom Network USA stands opposed to racism. We stand opposed to all forms of hatred and oppression.…
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Melinda Smith |
Reauthorize, Don’t Gut, the TVPA
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) established the US as a world leader in the fight against human trafficking, using a comprehensive approach that includes prosecution, protection, and prevention. This framework strives to ensure that survivors are identified…
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Jean Bruggeman |
CARE Act a Key Step in Preventing Child Labor Trafficking
On the World Day Against Child Labor, countries across the globe stand up for the rights and well-being of young people. While the United States has taken steps to protect the health and safety of young people working in a…
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Melinda Smith |
UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Releases Report on Combating Trafficking US
Today, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking Maria Grazia Giammarinaro is presenting her final country report of recommendations for the US government on how to combat trafficking in persons. These recommendations centralize the knowledge gathered from experts around…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA Supports the Reauthorization of the TVPA
Yesterday, S. 1311, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, was introduced in the Senate by original co-sponsors Cornyn, Klobuchar, Grassley, Feinstein, Corker, Brown, Heller, Wyden, Rubio, Coons and Hatch. Today, Senators Grassley, Feinstein, Cornyn, Klobuchar, Corker and…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Congressional Briefing Addresses Prevention and Services for Survivors
Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) hosted its first congressional briefing on Tuesday April 3rd in Washington, DC. The briefing, sponsored by Representative Don Beyer of Virginia, focused on a comprehensive approach to addressing human trafficking in the United States. FNUSA Executive Director,…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Hosts House Briefing on Preventing Human Trafficking and Supporting Survivors
BRIEFING: Preventing Human Trafficking and Supporting Survivors Tuesday, April 4 12:00- 1:00 pm Cannon House Office Building Room 421 Human trafficking is fueled by root causes including poverty, discrimination, weak worker protections and restrictive immigration policies. Effective prevention efforts must…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Talks Human Trafficking and Immigration Enforcement during Congressional Briefing
Several organizations who support immigrant survivors of violence organized a congressional briefing with bi-partisan support last Friday. Freedom Network USA Executive Director, Jean Bruggeman, was joined by representatives from National Network to End Domestic Violence, President of the Major City Chiefs…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Co-Sponsor House Briefing on Immigrant Victims and Public Safety
Freedom Network USA will co-sponsor a congressional briefing this Friday, March 17, 2017. Executive Director, Jean Bruggeman will sit on the panel and speak to the negative implications that new policy developments and increased enforcement may have on immigrant survivors of human…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Comments on Regulations for J-1 Guest Worker Visa Program
Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) submitted comments to the Department of State on RIN 1400-AD14, Proposed Rule, Exchange Visitor Program – Summer Work Travel, 82 Fed. Reg. 4120 (Jan. 12, 2017) (“Proposed Rule”). These proposed changes would affect immigrants who come to…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Submits Comments to Protect Immigration Relief for Foreign-Born Survivors
Freedom Network USA submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security regarding the “T” nonimmigrant status last week. These regulations determine whether survivors of human trafficking are eligible for a T Visa, which is the primary avenue of immigration relief…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA Condemns President Trump’s Executive Orders
Over the past two weeks, President Trump has acted to directly degrade the safety, health and well-being of the immigrant community, including victims and survivors of human trafficking. Freedom Network USA strongly stands behind the immigrant community in condemning these…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Highlights Labor and Spending for 2017 Trafficking In Persons Report
Every summer the Department of State releases its Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), the primary tool used to engage foreign governments on the issue of human trafficking. The report ranks countries on a three-tier system based on their dedication to eradicating…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Member, Susie Baldwin talks Health Providers and Human Trafficking
Susie Baldwin explores the ways the healthcare sector can better detect human trafficking, and other forms of violence in this TEDMED talk. A leading expert in the field, she opens with the story of Raffe, portraying how a typical interaction…