Case Studies

Illegally smuggled into the U.S. in 1989 at the age of 13 (with falsified documents claiming parent

Forced to raise the 4 children of a Child Welfare Supervisor (employee of New York City Administration for Children Services), did the household jobs and light shopping without pay. First to wake up at about 5.00 a.m. and last to sleep at about 11.00 p.m.

Stayed in captivity in the household for 9 years. Not allowed to talk to anyone outside captors’ friends & family

Severely physically, emotionally, medically, and financially abused and neglected

Administration for Children Services investigated the household about 3 times and ruled the allegations unfounded

Bronx District Attorney’s office determined the allegations were unfounded

Captors processed her INS adjustment of status (green card)

Allowed to work in a nearby fast food restaurant starting at the age of 19 and captors seized all her paychecks for 2 consecutive years

Not allowed to work full-time, or change job

Not allowed to go to college. Captors stated she was not smart enough

Captors intermittently searched her box and any money found were confiscated

Neighbor called police following another severe physical abuse in August 1998

Captor’s colleague at Administration for Children Services – Sup. II offered temporary shelter for 2 weeks and helped captors cover up the crime

Left the captors without any of her documents. Captors vowed in her presence to destroy her starting with her green card and to send her back to Africa naked

Became homeless and stayed in hotel, and in strangers’ apartments. Has no relative in the U. S.

Associates of captors pleaded with them to release victim’s documents, but captors refused stating they have the best lawyer money can buy to handle any situation. They vowed to crush the “village girl”

Was terrified because she had observed captors plot assassination of fellow Nigerian living in U.S among other plots. The assassination plot was arranged to appear like armed robbery in Nigeria. She was fearful for her life.

Met one of the Board members in October 1998

Referred to immigration attorney towards replacement of her seized green card because she was completely crippled without it

The attorney obtained her INS file which revealed that captors had written INS requesting the green card be revoked stating she obtained it illegally. The attorney charged high fee if she will handle the case. Survivor could not afford it

The attorney suggested that we find big non-profit organizations to advocate for her because she could get deported

High level advocacy initiated

Captors were arrested, tried and convicted for trafficking and slavery among other charges

Few African social workers at New York City government and private agencies conducted citywide fundraising during working hours and massive disinformation propaganda for the traffickers when they were arrested and attempted to mislead the investigation. Some community organizations and religious bodies also raised funds and offered support. No support for the victim

Some churches, religious groups, and community Association reportedly conducted fundraising for the traffickers. No support for the victim.

Survivor recently became a U. S. citizen, and graduated from college with B.S. Accounting

Hostility within immigrant African community continued