Amber Moffett, Graduate Associate Director of the Human Trafficking Center, joins host Seth Daire for a discussion about how refugees and asylees are vulnerable to trafficking and other forms of exploitation. They explain the difference between refugee and asylee status, and how a ‘well-founded fear’ because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular group is required, along with a long vetting process. Those who lack citizenship rights to protect them are in a precious situation. While the United States can't take care of everybody, the current refugee crisis requires a thoughtful and compassionate response, as the effects ripple throughout the world, and demonizing refugees adds to their vulnerability, making them easier prey for human traffickers.

Sources:

Statelessness: http://cmsny.org/the-stateless-in-the-united-states/

1951 Refugee Convention: http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/1951-refugee-convention.html

Screening Process for Refugee Entry into the US: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/11/20/infographic-screening-process-refugee-entry-united-states

Moffett, Amber. "Sending the Vulnerable to Traffickers: A discussion of refugee vulnerability and migration policies." 2015.

Colorado Asylum Project