WEBVTT 00:00:00.433 --> 00:00:03.603 Lesson 1: What is Continued Presence 00:00:03.970 --> 00:00:06.873 For many non-citizen victims of human trafficking, 00:00:06.873 --> 00:00:10.443 it all started with the promise of a good job in the United States. 00:00:10.477 --> 00:00:13.346 But the traffickers don't fulfill this promise. 00:00:13.346 --> 00:00:16.616 Traffickers often use the threat of arrest and deportation 00:00:16.616 --> 00:00:21.087 to keep victims fearful and controlled, even after you, as law enforcement, 00:00:21.087 --> 00:00:24.958 come in contact with victims and or investigating their traffickers. 00:00:25.225 --> 00:00:28.395 The victim's fear can linger, their trauma is acute, 00:00:28.395 --> 00:00:32.432 and they have a great need for social services to get back on their feet. 00:00:33.199 --> 00:00:38.138 The fear, trauma, and need for recovery can sometimes prevent or delay victims 00:00:38.138 --> 00:00:41.541 from reporting their trafficker and cooperating with law enforcement. 00:00:41.875 --> 00:00:45.745 Yet the victims are essential to building cases against their traffickers. 00:00:45.912 --> 00:00:49.482 How, then, can you simultaneously assist the trafficking victim 00:00:49.482 --> 00:00:52.619 and build the foundation for a successful investigation? 00:00:52.819 --> 00:00:55.422 The answer is Continued Presence. 00:00:55.422 --> 00:00:58.491 The Department of Homeland Security wants you to be aware 00:00:58.491 --> 00:01:00.093 of this law enforcement tool 00:01:00.093 --> 00:01:03.663 which can help you bolster your human trafficking investigations. 00:01:03.863 --> 00:01:07.033 It helps you use a victim centered approach which places 00:01:07.033 --> 00:01:10.437 equal value on the needs of the victim and the investigation. 00:01:11.337 --> 00:01:14.908 Continued Presence is a discretionary tool for law enforcement, 00:01:14.908 --> 00:01:18.878 which allows eligible non-citizens to remain in the United States 00:01:18.878 --> 00:01:22.749 temporarily to facilitate an investigation or prosecution 00:01:22.749 --> 00:01:26.119 of the human trafficking related crimes committed against them. 00:01:26.419 --> 00:01:30.557 This temporary immigration designation can allow a victim to remain 00:01:30.557 --> 00:01:34.661 for the duration of the criminal case, as well as a federal civil action, 00:01:34.661 --> 00:01:38.531 and alleviates their concern about removal from the United States. 00:01:38.832 --> 00:01:45.138 With Continued Presence, a trafficking victim may remain temporarily in the United States for two years. 00:01:45.405 --> 00:01:48.842 Extensions may be granted in increments of up to two years, 00:01:48.842 --> 00:01:53.246 as long as the victim remains compliant with the conditions of Continued Presence. 00:01:54.013 --> 00:01:57.016 Victims with Continued Presence receive a work permit 00:01:57.016 --> 00:02:00.653 at no cost to them or the requesting law enforcement agency. 00:02:00.854 --> 00:02:03.990 The ability to work legally in the United States helps 00:02:03.990 --> 00:02:06.993 to ease victims worries about economic support. 00:02:07.293 --> 00:02:10.296 Victims may also be eligible for federally funded 00:02:10.296 --> 00:02:13.600 benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. 00:02:13.633 --> 00:02:18.404 Such benefits and services include financial assistance and medical assistance, 00:02:18.404 --> 00:02:22.375 the Matching Grant Program, the Public Housing Program, and Job Corps. 00:02:22.942 --> 00:02:28.181 In many cases, the victims will receive services from nongovernmental organizations, 00:02:28.181 --> 00:02:31.618 which will assist them in accessing these benefits and services. 00:02:31.918 --> 00:02:34.687 These are all crucial to a victim's recovery 00:02:34.687 --> 00:02:38.658 and successful participation in an investigation and prosecution.