DHS Releases New Training Materials for Law Enforcement

On August 15, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new resources to protect immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes. The new tools were developed by DHS’s Blue Campaign in collaboration with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project at American University, Washington College of Law. These tools are part of DHS’s efforts to protect immigrant crime victims and provide immigration relief through U visas for victims of criminal activity and T visas for victims of human trafficking.   

Two new roll call videos provide state and local law enforcement with training resources from DHS experts to help them identify immigrants who may be victims of underreported crimes such as human trafficking. The videos also promote the benefits of U visas and T visas for immigrants who may fear coming forward to report crimes due to their immigration status.  In addition to the training videos, the Blue Campaign released a new PSA on combatting human trafficking, raising awareness of its efforts to identify and assist victims of trafficking in the United States.  

By helping immigrant crime victims come forward, receive needed relief, and apply for U and T visas already available under current immigration law that are designed to protect them, DHS continues to support the administration’s long-term efforts to bring these victims out of the shadows and increase public safety for all.