Human Trafficking
Governor Signs Abortion, Human Trafficking Bills
04/13/2009 11:56 AM
On
April 8, Governor Hoeven signed into law:
- SB 2265, which requires a notice to be posted at abortion facilities informing women of the right not to be coerced into an abortion; and
- SB 2209, which prohibits human trafficking.
On Human Trafficking
03/21/2009 09:03 AM
The Fargo Forum has
some feature stories on the work of the
God’s Child Project
and the
Institute for Trafficked, Exploited
& Missing Persons, both North Dakota-based
entities, and the work they do in Guatemala and
elsewhere. One story focuses on the problem of
human trafficking.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
The stories are here: http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/234766/
In North Dakota, Senate Bill 2209, which bans human trafficking, received its final passage by the House on March 13. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. A similar bill, HB 1185, was defeated on the grounds that it was no longer necessary. Thanks go the sponsors of both bills and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for making this possible.
House Human Trafficking Bill Passes
01/26/2009 01:56 PM
The
North Dakota House of Representatives just
unanimously passed HB 1185 to ban human trafficking.
A Senate committee takes up a similar bill tomorrow
(Tuesday, January, 27)
Two New Testimonies Posted
01/19/2009 06:03 PM
Two
new testimonies have been posted:
SB 2195 - Relating to Organ Donation
HB 1185 - To Prohibit Human Trafficking
SB 2195 - Relating to Organ Donation
HB 1185 - To Prohibit Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking Bill Introduced
01/10/2009 09:39 AM
Legislators have
introduced a bill to penalize human trafficking in
the state. Representatives Delmore, DeKrey,
Griffin, and Hawken, and Senators Lyson and
Schneider sponsored the bill. The North
Dakota Catholic Conference strongly supports passage
of this bill. Stay tuned for information on
when this bill is heard by the committee.
The bill is HB 1185.
The bill is HB 1185.
The Slave Next Door
12/29/2008 02:12 PM
Several newspapers
around the state are running an Associated Press
story about child slave labor in the United States.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference is working with others to get new state laws against human trafficking.
Read the story here.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference is working with others to get new state laws against human trafficking.
Read the story here.
New Anti-Trafficking Measure Becomes Law
12/23/2008 06:03 PM
Bishops Migration
Committee Chairman Lauds Enactment of
Anti-Trafficking Legislation
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, today hailed the enactment of H.R. 7311, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). Passed by Congress on December 10, the legislation was signed by President Bush on Tuesday, December 23, at the White House.
“Trafficking in human persons is a horrific crime and should be combated with all the legal means and resources available,” Bishop Wester said. “The enactment of this legislation is another important step toward eradicating this scourge, both in the United States and globally.”
In his remarks, Bishop Wester thanked President Bush and Congress for their leadership on this important human rights issue, but also urged President-elect Obama and the new Congress to ensure that anti-trafficking efforts remain a high priority.
“President Bush has done much to elevate public awareness about human trafficking and should be thanked for his leadership,” Bishop Wester said. “It will be important, however, that the new Administration and new Congress remain vigilant and continue to work to end to this abominable practice.”
Julianne Duncan, associate director of Children’s Services for Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the USCCB, emphasized the need for governmental agencies at the national and local levels to cooperate in implementing the new law.
“It is vital that the federal and local governments better coordinate their efforts, so that more human trafficking victims, including children, are identified, rescued, and provided appropriate services,” Duncan said.
Specifically, the new law will extend services and benefits to a greater number of trafficking victims who urgently need them. Victims who have a pending application for a visa, for example, will now be eligible for benefits immediately. Additionally, children believed to have experienced a form of trafficking will receive 120 days of interim assistance as they wait to be determined eligible for assistance as victims by the federal government.
Duncan also praised provisions in the legislation which will assist vulnerable children at risk of being trafficked. Provisions include reform of the process for children applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), making more children eligible for permanent legal status and refugee program benefits; a mandate that these children are placed in least restrictive settings based on a “best interest of the child” standard; and requirements that home studies be conducted before children are released. Another important provision creates protections for children who are determined ineligible for legal status in the United States and are repatriated to their home country.
“Children, especially those without parents or guardians, are particularly susceptible to human traffickers and are unable to escape trafficking situations. The provisions targeted toward children will help ensure they are better protected and that they receive services in a timely manner,” Duncan said.
MRS/USCCB provides social services to victims of human trafficking and was part of a group of organizations that actively advocated for inclusion of the children’s provisions in the legislation. MRS/USCCB also convenes the Catholic Coalition Against Human Trafficking, a coalition that supported the legislation and includes over 20 Catholic-related agencies and religious orders.
WASHINGTON—Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, today hailed the enactment of H.R. 7311, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). Passed by Congress on December 10, the legislation was signed by President Bush on Tuesday, December 23, at the White House.
“Trafficking in human persons is a horrific crime and should be combated with all the legal means and resources available,” Bishop Wester said. “The enactment of this legislation is another important step toward eradicating this scourge, both in the United States and globally.”
In his remarks, Bishop Wester thanked President Bush and Congress for their leadership on this important human rights issue, but also urged President-elect Obama and the new Congress to ensure that anti-trafficking efforts remain a high priority.
“President Bush has done much to elevate public awareness about human trafficking and should be thanked for his leadership,” Bishop Wester said. “It will be important, however, that the new Administration and new Congress remain vigilant and continue to work to end to this abominable practice.”
Julianne Duncan, associate director of Children’s Services for Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the USCCB, emphasized the need for governmental agencies at the national and local levels to cooperate in implementing the new law.
“It is vital that the federal and local governments better coordinate their efforts, so that more human trafficking victims, including children, are identified, rescued, and provided appropriate services,” Duncan said.
Specifically, the new law will extend services and benefits to a greater number of trafficking victims who urgently need them. Victims who have a pending application for a visa, for example, will now be eligible for benefits immediately. Additionally, children believed to have experienced a form of trafficking will receive 120 days of interim assistance as they wait to be determined eligible for assistance as victims by the federal government.
Duncan also praised provisions in the legislation which will assist vulnerable children at risk of being trafficked. Provisions include reform of the process for children applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), making more children eligible for permanent legal status and refugee program benefits; a mandate that these children are placed in least restrictive settings based on a “best interest of the child” standard; and requirements that home studies be conducted before children are released. Another important provision creates protections for children who are determined ineligible for legal status in the United States and are repatriated to their home country.
“Children, especially those without parents or guardians, are particularly susceptible to human traffickers and are unable to escape trafficking situations. The provisions targeted toward children will help ensure they are better protected and that they receive services in a timely manner,” Duncan said.
MRS/USCCB provides social services to victims of human trafficking and was part of a group of organizations that actively advocated for inclusion of the children’s provisions in the legislation. MRS/USCCB also convenes the Catholic Coalition Against Human Trafficking, a coalition that supported the legislation and includes over 20 Catholic-related agencies and religious orders.
