Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Releases Results on Immigration Enforcement Survey
Freedom Network USA released their findings from an informal survey exploring the impact of increased immigration enforcement on trafficking victims. In collaboration with Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) and Polaris, we surveyed 147 service providers in 39 states, the…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA Supports Visa Transparency Legislation To Combat Human Trafficking
Each year, a half a million low-wage guest workers enter the U.S. on a myriad of temporary work visas. Many of these guest workers are at the mercy of a single employer for both their job and their legal status…
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Melinda Smith |
At Risk Youth: The Importance of Accessible Housing
Homeless youth are at increased risk of being victims of human trafficking. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Loyola University, in collaboration with Covenant House, completed the most comprehensive study to investigate the linkage. The report, released this year, found that…
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Melinda Smith |
Fighting the Assault on Immigrant Children
The anti-immigrant rhetoric that has dominated the national narrative over the past year has not just created negative consequence for adults, but also in policies with devastating consequences for children. Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) has addressed several attempts over the…
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Melinda Smith |
Reproductive Rights and Human Trafficking
Freedom Network USA continues to vehemently oppose both legislation and policies that undermine a survivor’s ability to access the full range of reproductive health care. Last week, we joined our allies to submit comments to the Department of Health and…
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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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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 |
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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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 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…
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Freedom Network Community |
Food for Thought from FN Policy Co-Chair; Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia
Beyond the Chains: Tuning Into the Full Spectrum of Human Trafficking A pair of shackled hands. A body branded with a bar code. A woman behind bars. These are the images I have to walk audiences back from at every…
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Freedom Network Community |
Criminal Re-Entry Work Workshop Announced for Conference
The Freedom Network is pleased to announce the Criminal Re-Entry workshop, an offering in the Civil Legal track at this year’s Freedom Network Conference. The workshop will be facilitated by Freedom Network Co-Chair, Ivy Suriyopas, and will be include distinguished presenters Nadia Vali and Jessica…
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Freedom Network Community |
Database Established: Legal Advocacy Resources for Human Trafficking Victims
Freedom Network member organization Advocating Opportunity has aligned with various expert organizations in justice and law to form the national Vacatur & Expungement Database. Advocating Opportunity provides legal services and whole person advocacy for human trafficking victims. The database provides…
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Freedom Network Community |
First of Panel Speakers Announced!
We are happy to announce the first of a long list of experts who will be speaking at the 13th Annual Freedom Network Conference in Washington, DC. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks! Suzanne Tomatore, Esq. is the…
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Freedom Network Community |
Last Chance for Early Bird Rate for the 13th Annual Conference
This is the last chance to register at the early bird rate for the 13th Annual Freedom Network Conference. This year’s conference entitled, “TVPA Past, Present & Future: Elevating the “Human” in Human Trafficking,” will reflect on the successes of…