Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft approved new rules Thursday creating special immigration visas for people smuggled into the United States and forced into prostitution, domestic service or farm labor.
These "T-visas," created under a federal law passed in 2000, will allow victims to remain in the United States if they can persuade immigration authorities they would face "extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm" if returned to their native countries.
After three years, victims can apply to remain in America permanently. In most cases, they also can apply to have their spouses and children join them in the United States. Applicants under 21 can ask to have their parents join them.
"America will not stand idly by as those who seek to profit from modern-day slavery ignore the humanity of their prisoners and show their disdain for the rule of law," Ashcroft said.
Ashcroft said as many as 50,000 people — mostly women and children — are brought into the United States each year, although the government can approve only 5,000 of the new visas annually under the law. The Immigration and Naturalization Service is setting up a waiting list if more than 5,000 victims apply.
Ashcroft cited the case of Maria Choz, 19, who was kidnapped from her parents’ home in Guatemala three years ago and smuggled into Fort Myers, Fla. Ashcroft said Choz was forced to labor in tomato fields during the day, then turn over her earnings to her abductor and perform sexual favors for him at night.
A federal jury last year convicted Choz’s abductor, Jose Tecum, on six counts of kidnapping, slavery, immigrations violations and conspiracy to manufacture false documents. Police began investigating when Tecum’s wife called to file a domestic violence complaint.
INS commissioner James Ziglar on Thursday called the new visas "a powerful new tool to protect the most vulnerable victims and prevent future trafficking."
The visas will cost $200 for an application, plus $50 for each family member, up to a maximum of $400. Applicants also must pay $50 to have their fingerprints run through a criminal background check. The government said fee waivers were available.
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