WEBVTT

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For many foreign national
victims of human trafficking,

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it all started with the
promise of a good job

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in the United States.

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But the traffickers don't
fulfill this promise.

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Traffickers often use the
threat of arrest and deportation

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to keep victims
fearful and controlled.

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Even after you come in
contact with the victims

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and are investigating
their traffickers,

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the victims' fear can linger.

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Their trauma is acute,
and they have a great need

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for social services to
get back on their feet.

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That fear, trauma,
and need for recovery

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can sometimes prevent
or delay victims

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from reporting their
trafficker and cooperating

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with law enforcement,

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yet the victims are
essential in building cases

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against their traffickers.

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How, then, can you
simultaneously assist

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the trafficking victim
and build the foundation

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for a successful investigation?

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The answer is
Continued Presence.

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The Department of
Homeland Security

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wants you to be aware of this
law enforcement tool, which

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can help you bolster your human
trafficking investigations.

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It helps you use a
victim-centered approach, which

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places equal value on
the needs of the victim

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and the investigation.

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Continued Presence is
a discretionary tool

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for law enforcement which allows
eligible foreign nationals

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to remain in the United
States temporarily

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to facilitate an
investigation or prosecution

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of the human trafficking related
crimes committed against them.

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The designation
can allow a victim

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to remain for the duration
of the criminal case,

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as well as a federal
civil action,

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and alleviates their concern
about removal from the United

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States.

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With Continued Presence,
a trafficking victim

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may remain temporarily in the
United States for two years.

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Extensions may be granted in
increments of up to two years,

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as long as the victim
remains compliant

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with the conditions
of Continued Presence.

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Victims with Continued
Presence receive

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a work permit at no cost to them
or the law enforcement agency.

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The ability to work legally
in the United States

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helps to ease victims' worries
about economic support.

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Victims may also be eligible
for federally funded benefits

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and services to the
same extent as refugees.

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Such benefits and
services include

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refugee cash and medical
assistance, the matching grant

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program, the public housing
program, and job corps.

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In many cases, the victims
will receive services

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from non-governmental
organizations,

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which will assist them in
accessing these benefits

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and services.

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These are all crucial
to a victim's recovery

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and successful participation
in an investigation

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and prosecution.