What is the Blue Campaign?

The Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations, Blue Campaign strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice.
DHS is responsible for investigating human trafficking, arresting traffickers, and protecting victims. DHS also provides immigration relief to foreign-born victims of human trafficking.
Increased awareness and training will lead to more tips to law enforcement, which results in more victims being identified.
The Blue Campaign cannot do this alone. Join in the fight to end human trafficking.

A Victim-Centered Approach

DHS uses a victim-centered approach to combating human trafficking, which places equal value on the identification and stabilization of victims, as well as the investigation and prosecution of traffickers. Victims are crucial to investigations and prosecutions. Each case and every conviction changes lives. DHS understands how difficult it can be for victims to come forward and work with law enforcement, due to their trauma. DHS is committed to helping victims feel stable, safe, and secure.
DHS recognizes that a victim-centered investigation means that victims:

Require social services for stability, safety, and recovery―it is important to note that assistance is not tied to successful prosecution;
Have rights even if they were complicit in their illegal entry or forced to commit an illegal act during their exploitation;
Are the key to the successful investigation and prosecution of traffickers; and
Have the right to be informed and have opportunities to engage in their case throughout the process.

Immediately connecting a victim to support services can get a victim the help they need to recover and bring traffickers to justice.
Blue Campaign can help victims through DHS victim assistance resources, or can help connect victims to services in their community. The following victim assistance programs and services can help stabilize a victim of human trafficking:

Victim Assistance Specialists

Can help by connecting the victim to community-based groups to provide medical, mental health, legal assistance, case management, and other services. During case investigations, Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) victim assistance specialists assess a victim’s needs and work with law enforcement agents to integrate victim assistance considerations throughout a criminal investigation. In the absence of other resources, DHS has an emergency assistance fund which is available for emergency victim assistance needs.

Forensic Interview Specialists

Can conduct developmentally appropriate and legally defensible forensic interviews that are victim and culturally sensitive. If the victim is a child or is traumatized, these Forensic Interview Specialists can aid in investigations.

Local Service Provider Networks

Both the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) support direct services for victims of human trafficking through local, community based service providers. Visit www.usdoj.gov and www.hhs.gov to learn more.

Immigration Relief: Stabilizing Foreign National Victims of Crime

Many foreign-born victims do not have legal status in the United States, and this is a powerful way the trafficker controls victims. Immigration relief is a critical tool because it provides a way for victims to feel secure and stabilize their status in the United States. Without legal status, victims may not be able to stay in the United States, or they may be limited in their access to victim assistance services. Immigration relief can help stabilize a victim without legal status.

Continued Presence (CP)

Is a form of short term immigration relief that allows a potential witness to remain in the U.S. during an investigation. CP should be made available as soon as law enforcement identifies a victim. The investigation does not have to be complete prior to requesting CP, which is requested by law enforcement only. Ask law enforcement to connect directly with the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (by calling the HSI Tipline at 1-866-347-2423) to request CP.

T or U Nonimmigrant Status (T or U visa)

Are longer term forms of immigration relief that allow victims to remain in the United States and, after a certain amount of time, to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. The T visa is for victims of a severe form of human trafficking. The U visa is for victims of a variety of crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, and other serious offenses. Both require the victim to assist or cooperate with law enforcement in an investigation or prosecution (unless, for applicants for the T visa, the victim is under 18 or is unable to cooperate due to trauma). The victim applies for a T or U visa, often with the help of a community advocate or attorney, through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Click here to learn more.

Federal Public Benefits

Are available through HHS for victims of a severe form of trafficking who have received certification from HHS. Minor victims (under 18) are eligible for federal public benefits through HHS immediately once they are identified as a victim, and do not need HHS certification. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 to get help and connect with a service provider in your area.

Declaration or Certification by Law Enforcement

Law enforcement plays a role in the T and U visa process by telling USCIS about the victim’s assistance to law enforcement. Law enforcement fills out a declaration or certification, which informs USCIS about how the victim is assisting law enforcement. For the T visa, this is not required evidence; other evidence can be gathered to show the victim’s assistance. For the U visa, the law enforcement certification is required evidence. The law enforcement declaration or certification alone does not provide the basis for a grant of an immigration benefit, and is only one piece of evidence that USCIS reviews before making a decision. To help a victim learn how to apply, contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283, or click here to learn more.

Government Roles

Everyone has a role to play in combating human trafficking. DHS and its components work across their missions to combat human trafficking every day. U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigates both international and domestic human trafficking cases. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and ICE provide immigration relief to trafficking victims. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) provides training to law enforcement professionals on how to identify indicators of human trafficking and how to conduct human trafficking investigations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is in a unique position to detect trafficking on our borders, as are U.S. Coast Guard on the high seas, Transportation Security Administration in airports, and Federal Emergency Management Agency in disaster areas.
As part of their efforts through the Blue Campaign, the DHS components produce training and informational videos and materials and public awareness campaigns, provide victim assistance and conduct investigative efforts, and establish partnerships, outreach, and online resources. DHS coordinates and unites these initiatives under the One DHS Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking. To learn more about current initiatives visit each agency’s website.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE investigates cases of human trafficking and provides support to victims. ICE accomplishes this mission by making full use of its authorities and expertise, stripping away the traffickers’ assets and profit incentives, collaborating with U.S. and foreign partners to attack networks worldwide and working in partnership with non-governmental organizations to identify, rescue and provide assistance to trafficking victims. Click here to learn more about ICE anti-human trafficking efforts.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS helps protect victims of human trafficking and other crimes by providing immigration relief. Two types of immigration relief for victims of human trafficking and other crimes are available through USCIS: T Nonimmigrant Status (T Visa) and U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa). Click here to learn more about USCIS efforts to protect victims.

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

FLETC provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals on how to identify indicators of human trafficking, immigration options available for potential trafficking victims, and how to conduct human trafficking investigations. FLETC developed a web-based human trafficking training course that teaches officers how to recognize human trafficking encountered during routine duties, how to protect victims, and how to initiate human trafficking investigations. Click here to learn more about FLETC and its available training.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP’s focus is to prevent human trafficking and identify victims of human trafficking along our nation’s borders and at our ports of entry. With more than 42,000 frontline CBP officers and Border Patrol agents protecting nearly 7,000 miles of land border and 327 ports of entry—including official crossings by land, air, and sea—CBP is uniquely situated to deter and disrupt human trafficking. Click here to learn more about CBP anti-human trafficking efforts.
For information about Blue Campaign events with DHS agency highlights, click here to learn more.

Across the U.S. Government

In the United States, the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) brings together federal departments and agencies to ensure a whole-of-government approach that addresses all aspects of human trafficking—enforcement of criminal and labor law, victim identification and protection, education and public awareness, international trade and development, enhanced partnerships and research opportunities, and international engagement and diplomacy. The member and invited agencies of the PITF are the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Education, and Homeland Security, as well as the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Staff, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Domestic Policy Council, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As part of the PITF, these agencies convene routinely to coordinate federal policies that combat trafficking in persons and implementation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
For more information about the U.S. government’s efforts to combat human trafficking view, the PITF accomplishment report, and visit each agency’s website.

Persons » Legislation

U.S. Laws on Trafficking in Persons

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386), the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (H.R. 2620), the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 972), and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 7311) provide the tools to combat trafficking in persons both worldwide and domestically. The Acts authorized the establishment of G/TIP and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to assist in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts.

-03/07/13   Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Title XII of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013)
-01/01/08   William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
-01/10/06   Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005
-01/07/03   Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools To End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act)
-01/07/03   Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003
-01/07/03   U.S. Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 [230 Kb]
-10/28/00   Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000

Monday, January 6, 2014