Aisha*, a young Tanzanian woman, was the victim of a severe form of labor trafficking. After the father of Aisha’s child died of malaria in Tanzania, Aisha and her son struggled to survive. In 2011, Aisha saw an opportunity to work when she was promised a job in the city of Dar es Salaam. Instead, Aisha was taken through Kenya to Oman where she was sold to a family and forced into slavery. Aisha was forced to cook, clean, and care for the family’s children in Oman without pay. The family eventually brought Aisha to the United States where she continued working for them without pay. During this time, Aisha was mistreated, threatened, and physically abused. Aisha finally escaped from the situation when the family was traveling back to Oman. Aisha went with them to the airport but she wasn’t permitted through security because she had no valid Omani visa. When Aisha came to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston seeking legal help, she was homeless and terrified. With the help of a Catholic Charities attorney, she now has a visa for trafficking victims, work authorization, and will soon begin her application for lawful permanent residence. [*Name changed to protect privacy.]
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