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DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) oversees the DHS mission to combat human trafficking and the importation of goods produced with forced labor. By co-locating and augmenting existing DHS functions in a single, state-of-the-art center, it provides a “whole of government” approach to combating these crimes and will allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to continue to lead the way in an integrated, victim-centered approach to the investigation of human trafficking. HSI has long been a leader in the global fight against transnational human trafficking organizations, using the full breadth of their criminal, immigration and trade-based authorities to proactively identify, disrupt and dismantle cross-border human trafficking organizations and minimize the risk they pose to the national security and public safety of the U.S.

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DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking

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Human Trafficking

Leading the global fight against human trafficking

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Human trafficking victim shares story

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Continued Presence Program

ICE HSI has a long history of processing Continued Presence (CP) requests for law enforcement nationwide. The HSI-led DHS CCHT assumed responsibility for processing CP requests from federal, state, and local law enforcement nationwide. The Center has been working diligently to ensure that law enforcement officers are aware this important tool is available to assist human trafficking victims.

CP is a temporary immigration designation provided to individuals identified by law enforcement as trafficking victims who may be potential witnesses. CP allows trafficking victims to lawfully remain in the U.S. temporarily and work during the investigation into the human trafficking-related crimes committed against them and during any civil action under 18 U.S.C. § 1595 filed by the victims against their traffickers.

CP is an important tool for federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local law enforcement in their investigation and prosecution of human trafficking-related crimes, leading to more successful prosecutions. The routine use of CP for victims fosters trust with service providers and organizations who may be a greater source of referrals for law enforcement when they know that victims will be protected if they come forward. Ultimately this increases law enforcement’s ability to identify victims and traffickers.

Please review the resources below to better understand CP and how requesting it is not only part of a victim-centered approach, but also helps to protects human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

For direct assistance from the CCHT regarding Continued Presence, please email: ContinuedPresence@ccht.dhs.gov.

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