Trafficking
in Persons Program
Human
trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery in which victims
are exploited for forced labor or commercial sex. The U.S. government
estimates that each year 600,000 to 800,000 persons worldwide
fall prey to this crime. Congress passed the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) to comprehensively address this
scourge.
The
TVPA established mechanisms through which persons subjected
to trafficking within the United States can obtain immigration
relief, case-management and access to all Federally funded benefits
and services to the same extent as refugees. Examples of such
benefits and services include all Office of Refugee Resettlement
(ORR) refugee programs and mainstream programs and services
such as Medicaid, the food stamp program, Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF), the one-stop career center system,
Jobs Corps and State-specific programs that are partially or
wholly Federally funded or administered.
HHS
issues the certifications that entitle victims to these benefits
and services.
Funding
is available through contracts and discretionary grants for
public outreach and victim services. Public and private non-profit
organizations are eligible to apply for discretionary grants.
Contact
Information:
Office
of Refugee Resettlement
Portals Building
1250 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20042
Telephone: 202-401-9246
Fax: 202-401-0981
Website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/index.html
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Keywords:
trafficking;
human trafficking; T-visa; certification.
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