Human Trafficking in the USA!

Everyday we have new cases around the world concerning Human trafficking, women and children are the primary targets, being the most vulnerable and are easily controlled by the traffickers. They are beaten into submission against their will, and in many cases they are forced into prostitution without being compensated. The pimps, Brothel owners and Bar owners hold them in locked rooms, with iron bars so they can not escape.  If they try to escape and are caught, they are more than likely tortured or killed as an example to the others. This is no different than what happened when slavery was widely practiced throughout the world.

One of the Worst States

The United States is a destination country for thousands of men, women, and children trafficked largely from Mexico and East Asia, as well as countries in South Asia, Central America, Africa, and Europe, for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation. Three-quarters of all foreign adult victims identified during the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 were victims of trafficking for forced labor. Some trafficking victims, responding to fraudulent offers of employment in the United States, migrate willingly—legally and illegally—and are after subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude or debt bondage at work sites or in commercial sex. An unknown number of American citizens and legal residents are trafficked within the country, primarily for sexual servitude.

The U.S. Government (USG) in 2008 continued to advance the goal of eradicating human trafficking in the United States. This coordinated effort includes several federal agencies and about $23 million in FY 2008 for domestic programs to boost anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, identify and protect victims of trafficking, and raise awareness of trafficking as a means of preventing new incidents.

May 26, 2011

After a four-week trial, a federal jury in Central Islip, New York, today found Antonio Rivera and Jason Villaman guilty of conspiracy, sex trafficking, forced labor, alien harboring, and alien transportation. John Whaley was convicted of conspiracy, forced labor, alien harboring, and alien transportation. The charges arose in connection with the defendants operation of two bars, Sonidos de la Frontera, in Lake Ronkonkoma, and La Hija del Mariachi, in Farmingville, New York. Rivera was the owner of the bars, and Whaley and Villaman transported the victims to and from the bars. Villaman also worked as a security guard at Sonidos.

The government’s evidence at trial established that the defendants and others compelled undocumented Latin American women from Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador hired as waitresses in Rivera’s bars to engage in commercial sex acts by using violence, fraud, coercion, and threats of deportation. “Those who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone receives the full protection of our laws.”. Human trafficking of this kind is the equivalent of modern-day slavery. It deprives its victims of their freedom and dignity, and it has no place in our country.

This case should serve as a reminder that the Justice Department is committed to the aggressive prosecution of those who rob individuals of their freedom for financial gain,” Assistant Attorney General Perez said. “This investigation and the resulting guilty verdicts prove that there is no tolerance in our society for this form of unbridled abuse and cruel exploitation of women,” said ICE/HSI Special Agent in Charge Hayes.

This outcome further solidifies our resolve to work closely with other law enforcement agencies to root out those criminals who mistakenly view the most vulnerable among us as easy prey.” As we investigate Human Trafficking across the world, the United States is a Major Target.

All citizens need to be aware of this un-necessary evil and help to eradicate it, by standing up and providing help to the law enforcement agencies. If you see it going on around you, don’t just ignore it, do something about it.

Related articles

• ‘Sheriff Joe’ Workers Busted for Human Trafficking (newser.com)
• Human traffic victims hope to stay (windsorstar.com)
• US: Corps need to waking up to human trafficking (seattletimes.nwsource.com)