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“WILLIAM WILBERFORCE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2510 on Dec. 6, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT
OF 2007
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speech of
HON. HILDA L. SOLIS
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3887). I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 3887, which will provide new tools to protect against modern slavery, both in the immigrant community and among American citizens.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was originally enacted in 2000 to combat trafficking in persons, ensure the prosecution of human traffickers, and protect the victims of trafficking. The 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department estimated that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people were trafficked to the United States annually. Victims were trafficked for forced labor and debt bondage in areas such as agriculture, sweatshop manufacturing, and domestic service. This legislation would direct the U.S. State Department to establish an office to monitor and combat human trafficking. It would also authorize the President to support international efforts to combat trafficking and to rescue and care for victims.
In California, Maria Suarez is one of the brave survivors of modern slavery who is working to protect others from cruel mistreatment. At the age of 16, Maria was sold as a sex slave to a 62-year-old man in California. He was killed by a neighbor and Maria was convicted of murder for her limited role in covering up the killing of her captor. Consequently, Maria served 22 years in jail before being pardoned.
When Maria was released from prison she was detained by the immigration service as a convicted felon. I led efforts in Congress, along with community activists, to provide relief to Maria and release her from immigration detention. In 2004, Maria was granted a T visa, which is a visa for victims of trafficking and provides legal status for them to remain in the U.S. for 3 years. After 3 years, T visa holders can apply for permanent resident status. This legislation would allow for the reunification of victims and their families, and would help Maria Suarez and others like her by making the immigration service recognize that victims should not be held responsible for what they are forced to do while they are enslaved.
I applaud Chairmen Lantos and Conyers for their hard work and continued dedication to this issue. Congress must continue fighting on behalf of those who have been forced into servitude and slavery and give these people a voice. I am hopeful that this legislation will give immigrant survivors of domestic violence and trafficking victims, such as Maria Suarez, a genuine opportunity to explain their circumstances before Federal authorities.
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