Things to Look Out For:

While trafficking can look different depending on the situation, there are common warning signs to watch for:

Documents & Identity

• Someone else controls the person’s passport, ID, visa, or other travel/identification documents
• The person doesn’t know their current address or location

Freedom of Movement

• The person isn’t free to come and go as they please, or has obvious restrictions on their movement
• The person is coached on what to say to law enforcement or other officials (including the U.S. Department of State or their J-1 visa sponsor)

Money & Wages

• Wages are being withheld
• The person is paid less than what was promised
• The person works excessively long hours with little or no pay
• The person isn’t allowed to keep their earnings or has no access to their own money

Communication & Behavior

• The person isn’t allowed to speak for themselves and seems afraid to do so
• Someone else consistently speaks for them or closely monitors their conversations
• The person appears fearful, anxious, or submissive around certain individuals

Health & Safety

• Signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or untreated medical issues
• The person is threatened by an employer with deportation or arrest
• Sexual harassment involving threats to the person’s job, housing, or visa status

Working & Living Conditions

• The person is doing a different job than expected
• The person is deprived of satisfactory living conditions

How It Often Starts

• Watch out for fraud and scams — trafficking often begins with job or visa fraud