[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WILLIAM WILBERFORCE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT 
                                OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the 
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 
of 2007 (H.R. 3887). I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 
3887, which will provide new tools to protect against modern slavery, 
both in the immigrant community and among American citizens.
  The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was originally enacted in 2000 
to combat trafficking in persons, ensure the prosecution of human 
traffickers, and protect the victims of trafficking. The 2007 
Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department 
estimated that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people were trafficked to 
the United States annually. Victims were trafficked for forced labor 
and debt bondage in areas such as agriculture, sweatshop manufacturing, 
and domestic service. This legislation would direct the U.S. State 
Department to establish an office to monitor and combat human 
trafficking. It would also authorize the President to support 
international efforts to combat trafficking and to rescue and care for 
victims.
  In California, Maria Suarez is one of the brave survivors of modern 
slavery who is working to protect others from cruel mistreatment. At 
the age of 16, Maria was sold as a sex slave to a 62-year-old man in 
California. He was killed by a neighbor and Maria was convicted of 
murder for her limited role in covering up the killing of her captor. 
Consequently, Maria served 22 years in jail before being pardoned.
  When Maria was released from prison she was detained by the 
immigration service as a convicted felon. I led efforts in Congress, 
along with community activists, to provide relief to Maria and release 
her from immigration detention. In 2004, Maria was granted a T visa, 
which is a visa for victims of trafficking and provides legal status 
for them to remain in the U.S. for 3 years. After 3 years, T visa 
holders can apply for permanent resident status. This legislation would 
allow for the reunification of victims and their families, and would 
help Maria Suarez and others like her by making the immigration service 
recognize that victims should not be held responsible for what they are 
forced to do while they are enslaved.
  I applaud Chairmen Lantos and Conyers for their hard work and 
continued dedication to this issue. Congress must continue fighting on 
behalf of those who have been forced into servitude and slavery and 
give these people a voice. I am hopeful that this legislation will give 
immigrant survivors of domestic violence and trafficking victims, such 
as Maria Suarez, a genuine opportunity to explain their circumstances 
before Federal authorities.

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