DOJ, DHS and DOL Announce Launch of Human Trafficking Enhanced Enforcement Initiative.

“The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor announced today the launch of a nationwide Human Trafficking Enhanced Enforcement Initiative designed to streamline federal criminal investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking offenses. As part of the Enhanced Enforcement Initiative, specialized Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams, known as ACTeams, will be convened in select pilot districts around the country. The ACTeams, comprised of prosecutors and agents from multiple federal enforcement agencies, will implement a strategic action plan to combat identified human trafficking threats. The ACTeams will focus on developing federal criminal human trafficking investigations and prosecutions to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims, bring traffickers to justice and dismantle human trafficking networks.”

February 1st, 2011.

SEVERAL IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS EXTENDED:

Obama Signs FY10 DHS Spending Bill; Four Immigration-Related Programs Extended through 2012.

On October 28th, 2009, President Obama signed into law the FY10 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (P.L.111-83).

The new Law extends the non-minister religious worker (section 568), the “Conrad 30″ (section 568), the EB-5 visa (section 548), and the E-Verify (section 547) programs through September 30, 2012.

The Law also includes statutory authority for CIS to complete the processing of permanent residence applications for surviving spouses and other relatives of immigration sponsors who die during the adjudication process (section 568).

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a media initiative to inform the public about the horrors and the prevalence of human trafficking, which is modern-day slavery. As part of ICE’s continued efforts, the agency has unveiled an outdoor public service announcement campaign, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” to draw the American public’s attention to the plight of human-trafficking victims in the United States. The campaign message explains that human trafficking includes those who are sexually exploited or forced to work against their will. Posters, billboards and transit shelter signs were rolled out last month bearing the slogan “Hidden in Plan Sight.” They are displayed in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, New York, St Paul, San Antonio, San Francisco and Tampa. The campaign’s goal is to raise public awareness about the existence of human trafficking in communities nationwide, and asks mem bers of the public to take action if they encounter possible victims.” ICE, Nov. 2, 2009.