Stories from the Field

August 2004

Even in the USA
August 06, 2004

Slavery is not limited to remote locations or backward countries, according to the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University (USA). Human traffickers bring thousands of people into the United States each year and Florida, New York and Texas are believed to be the top three destinations. In south Florida, federal prosecutions have indicated hundreds of farm workers were victims of human trafficking, and a forced prostitution ring identified as many as 40 young women and girls brought from Mexico. The center also cited a case of "domestic servitude" in southwest Florida. The report emphasized that not all victims of human trafficking are illegal immigrants and said that some victims are Americans -- homeless or addicted people or runaways who are easy prey for traffickers. -- Mark Kelly