For many foreign national victims of human trafficking,
it all started with the promise of a good job
in the United States.
But the traffickers don't fulfill this promise.
Traffickers often use the threat of arrest and deportation
to keep victims fearful and controlled.
Even after you come in contact with the victims
and are investigating their traffickers,
the victims' fear can linger.
Their trauma is acute, and they have a great need
for social services to get back on their feet.
That fear, trauma, and need for recovery
can sometimes prevent or delay victims
from reporting their trafficker and cooperating
with law enforcement,
yet the victims are essential in building cases
against their traffickers.
How, then, can you simultaneously assist
the trafficking victim and build the foundation
for a successful investigation?
The answer is Continued Presence.
The Department of Homeland Security
wants you to be aware of this law enforcement tool, which
can help you bolster your human trafficking investigations.
It helps you use a victim-centered approach, which
places equal value on the needs of the victim
and the investigation.
Continued Presence is a discretionary tool
for law enforcement which allows eligible foreign nationals
to remain in the United States temporarily
to facilitate an investigation or prosecution
of the human trafficking related crimes committed against them.
The designation can allow a victim
to remain for the duration of the criminal case,
as well as a federal civil action,
and alleviates their concern about removal from the United
States.
With Continued Presence, a trafficking victim
may remain temporarily in the United States for two years.
Extensions may be granted in increments of up to two years,
as long as the victim remains compliant
with the conditions of Continued Presence.
Victims with Continued Presence receive
a work permit at no cost to them or the law enforcement agency.
The ability to work legally in the United States
helps to ease victims' worries about economic support.
Victims may also be eligible for federally funded benefits
and services to the same extent as refugees.
Such benefits and services include
refugee cash and medical assistance, the matching grant
program, the public housing program, and job corps.
In many cases, the victims will receive services
from non-governmental organizations,
which will assist them in accessing these benefits
and services.
These are all crucial to a victim's recovery
and successful participation in an investigation
and prosecution.