The Trouble with Visas
Jill’s going to love this story:
A millionaire couple accused of keeping two Indonesian women as slaves in their luxurious Long Island home and abusing them for years have been indicted on federal slavery charges…The women legally arrived in the United States on B-1 visas in 2002; the Sabhnanis then confiscated their passports and refused to let them leave their home, authorities said. Identified in court papers as Samirah and Nona, the women said they were promised payments of $200 and $100 a month, but federal prosecutors said they were never given money directly.
So B-1 (business) visas are being used to bring in slaves? Great. Just a little reminder of what B-1 visas are for:
The definition of “business” under immigration law is limited, and does not generally allow for gainful employment, labor for hire or productive activity such as operating a business or consultancy work. Specifically, in the applicable U.S. law the term “business” is limited to the negotiation of contracts, consultation with business associates, litigation, and participation in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars and other legitimate activities of a commercial or professional nature.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Doesn’t most human trafficking occur under business visas? Ukrainians and Russians need a visa to enter the US, so I’d imagine that the ploys set up to get them there (modeling, etc) require a B-1. That’s a frightening story, nonetheless.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I honestly don’t know…I kind of assumed most of human trafficking was done without visas, bringing them across the border secretly, etc… I’ll have to look into it more, it’s a horrible story.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Awful story. There are horrible people out there.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Dear Felix,
We’d love you to list your expat blog on our new website, to help us build a great resource for all women living overseas.
Please take a look at our site at: www.ExpatWomen.com.
Thanks,
April
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Dear felix,
Thanks for this information. I never thought slavery still alive inside the country that they called: the biggest democratic country. I cannot imagine how they were suffering. To everyone who live in this world….. please stop human trafficking and stop slavery…!!