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Effective: December 1, 2006 |
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11.20.30ar1 - Trafficking Victims (Archive) |
Archived: February 1, 2011 |
A noncitizen who is forced into the international sex trade, prostitution, slavery and forced labor through coercion, threats of physical violence, psychological abuse, torture and imprisonment is a victim of severe forms of trafficking.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues certification letters for adults who meet the requirements for certification as trafficking victims. The ORR issues similar confirmation letters for children under age 18. The letters include an initial eligibility date and an expiration date eight months later. ORR will issue follow-up certification letters for people who continue to meet the requirements for certification as victims of trafficking after the initial eight-month period.
People who are certified as trafficking victims are potentially eligible for federally funded health care (Medical Assistance with federal financial participation, or MinnesotaCare program LL or FF) regardless of date of entry or length of time in the U.S. They are also potentially eligible for Refugee Assistance Program funding.
No provisions for this status.
Require the ORR letter as verification of trafficking victim status. Also call the trafficking verification line at 202-401-5510 to confirm the validity of the claim as shown on the letter. Do not require any other U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation.
If an applicant appears to meet the criteria for certification as a trafficking victim but does not have a letter from ORR, call the following numbers:
l Adults: 202-401-4561 or 202-401-5702.
l Children under age 18: 202-420-4732.
Or, contact the DHS Resettlement Program Office at 651-431-3809.
Trafficking victims who do not have a Medical Assistance (MA) basis of eligibility may be eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for their first eight months in the U.S. If they are not eligible for MA, RMA, or MinnesotaCare, they may be eligible for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
See the Combined Manual (CM0011.03.30) and POLI/TEMP TE02.258 (Trafficking Victims Q&A) in MAXIS for additional background on this status.