Urge California to protect all temporary workers - Angela & Jayson's story

Summary

Angela and Jason, survivors of human trafficking from the Philippines, share their harrowing experiences working in the U.S. under threats from their trafficker. Forced to work in an elderly care facility to repay a $12,000 debt, they lived in fear of imprisonment due to their illegal status. Both support SB477, a bill that could protect future workers from similar exploitation and raise awareness of the dangers of deceptive job offers in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 💼 Angela and Jason are survivors of labor trafficking, having been brought from the Philippines to work in the U.S. under false pretenses.
• 👩‍⚕️ Angela worked in an elderly care facility, where she took care of six residents and considered them like family.
• 💸 Angela's trafficker demanded she work for 10 years and repay $12,000 for transportation and visa costs.
• ⏳ Angela worked for the trafficker for 2.5 years, and if Senate Bill 477 (SB477) had been in place, she believes it could have protected her.
• 🔒 Jason’s trafficker took his passport and made him work in a home care facility for 10 years, claiming he owed her $12,000 and could not work for anyone else.
• ⏱️ Jason worked for nine months without a day off and was in constant fear because he had no legal paperwork.
• 😨 Angela and Jason’s scariest moments were tied to the threat of being reported to the police and potentially being jailed due to their lack of documentation.
• 🚫 Both feared that being imprisoned would mean they’d never see their families again or return to them.
• 🛡️ Angela supports SB477 to protect others from experiencing the same exploitation and deception she went through.
• 📢 Jason also supports SB477, hoping to raise awareness for others who wish to come to the U.S. so they can be better informed and protected.

Q & A

Who is Angela, and where was she born?

Angela was born and raised in the Philippines.

What kind of work did Angela do when she arrived in the United States?

Angela worked in an elderly care facility taking care of six residents or patients.

Why did Angela feel threatened by her trafficker?

Angela's trafficker threatened her, telling her she had to work for 10 years and owed $12,000 for her transportation and visa.

What law does Angela mention, and how could it have helped her?

Angela mentions SB 477, saying it could have protected her and others applying for work from the Philippines by revealing that her trafficker’s promises were lies.

Who is Jason, and how did he come to the United States?

Jason was brought to the United States after being contacted by his recruiter, who promised that he wouldn’t have to pay for his visa or transportation.

What did Jason's trafficker demand from him?

Jason's trafficker demanded that he work in a home care facility for 10 years, as she claimed he owed her $12,000 for bringing him to the United States.

What was the most frightening experience for Angela and Jason while working in the facility?

Both Angela and Jason were terrified of being caught working illegally without proper documentation, fearing that they could be imprisoned.

How did their trafficker use threats to control Angela and Jason?

Their trafficker constantly threatened them, saying that if the police asked for identification and they couldn’t provide any, they would be jailed, which made them fear losing contact with their families.

Why do Angela and Jason support SB 477?

Angela and Jason support SB 477 because they don’t want others to experience the exploitation and fear they went through, and they want future workers to be informed about the risks.

What message do Angela and Jason have for others considering coming to the United States for work?

Angela and Jason urge people to be aware of the realities and risks of being trafficked for work in the United States before making the decision to come.