Iraqi Couple on Slavery Charges in US

The victim was removed from the residence of Majeed and Abbas on March 22, 2016, by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Healthcare workers reported to the national Human Trafficking Resource Center that the victim was seen in the back of the residence and closely monitored. Agents translated the note requesting help that the victim had provided to a visiting nurse, which prompted her rescue.

Victims of labor trafficking are often overwhelmed by fear, and they fail to report crimes against them. Frequently victims are unfamiliar with U.S. culture. They may be unaware of their rights or may have been intentionally misinformed about rights in this country. Many don’t speak English, and are unable to communicate with service providers, police, or others who might be able to help them.

They many times don’t self-identify as victims and often blame themselves for predicaments. Many are not legally in the U.S. and they have a fear of being arrested or deported. And, even though an unfortunate number of victims have been beaten and/or raped, they feel their current situation may still be better than where they came from.

They may be afraid that speaking out may result in harm to families in their home countries, who are often threatened by traffickers. For all those reasons, these cases are tremendously difficult to investigate and prosecute.