Anti-Human Trafficking Act Signed Into Law Today

By Dennis Sadowski

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Nationwide efforts to confront human trafficking received a boost in the new year as President Donald Trump signed a bill reauthorizing federal expenditures for prevention and assistance programs across the federal government.

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act allows $430 million in federal funds for trafficking prevention and education, victim protection and stronger government prosecution of traffickers through 2022.

The president of the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking welcomed the Jan. 8 signing of the law, for which it had advocated with members of Congress.

“This comprehensive bill allocates funding for a number of projects that address the acute need for increasing awareness across a variety of sectors, prevention efforts and services for victims of both commercial sex and forced labor trafficking,” Sister Anne Victory, a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, told Catholic News Service Jan. 9.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, introduced the legislation and shepherded it through Congress. Both houses of Congress overwhelmingly approved the measure.

Smith said in a news release that federal spending under the law will reach across international borders through several government agencies.

The bill was named for the prominent 19th-century African-American civil rights social reformer and abolitionist.

The law provides $18 million to the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to fund the International Megan’s Law, which since 2016 has mandated a visual identifier to be placed on the passports of people convicted of sex offenses involving a minor. The law also requires convicted offenders to notify law enforcement 21 days before traveling abroad.

Since the International Megan’s Law was passed, 3,442 people have been denied entry into the U.S. or other countries, according to Smith’s office.

The newly signed U.S. law also authorizes $315 million to the Department of State for an array of prevention efforts internationally including collaboration with overseas law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations, and the creation of a complaint procedure in U.S. embassies to be better aware of traffickers exploiting the U.S. entry system.

Another $78 million will be allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services for age-appropriate education for children on trafficking prevention. The department also will continue to operate the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.

Funding is set aside for shelter, therapy and reintegration of trafficking victims into society.

Another $20 million is authorized for the Department of Labor to facilitate trafficking-free supply chains in private businesses and government purchases and to inform the Department of Homeland Security of imports that may contain trafficked products to block entry into the country.

In addition, $1 million will be used for training airport personnel, flight attendants and pilots to recognize potential trafficking victims in transit.

The law is the fifth anti-human trafficking law authored by Smith. It received support from a cross section of organizations including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Order Of Malta – Christian Presence Helps The Suffering

Currents News Staff

As is usual every year, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta delivered his speech to the diplomats accredited to the Order. It is when this humanitarian organization reviews the global situation; and examines how it helps to alleviate the suffering caused by 36 open conflicts that are on-going throughout the world. One of their projects is their work in Iraq after the end of the Islamic State.

“In order to facilitate the return and reintegration of displaced communities in the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq, our international relief agency, Malteser International, is rebuilding houses and schools,” said Giacomo Dalla Torre, Grand Master Order of Malta.

In the Middle East, the Order’s support of both Christians and non-Christians is not only a way of improving the lives of a population that have faced armed conflicts for years; it is also a message of coexistence. For example, in Bethlehem they work side-by-side with Christian and Muslim personnel in this health center. Additionally, in Lebanon, due to the overwhelming amount of refugees from Syria and Iraq, the Order runs 10 ambulatories and four mobile clinics.

“This program aims to meet the needs of both the refugees and their host communities, enabling the two groups to build stronger social and cultural links and to promote social cohesion,” he said.

The Order’s staff and volunteers assist wherever a human being needs help, regardless of race, creed or nation. Whether it’s helping migrants risking their lives in the Mediterranean, or Venezuelans seeking refuge in Colombia, or even the Rohingya minority in Bangladesh.

“In Bangladesh, relief teams manage three medical centers in the refugee camps for this persecuted minority, providing healthcare, food for starving children and psycho-social support,” he said.

The Order maintains diplomatic relations with 108 countries of the world as well as with dozens of first-class international institutions. With all, there is a single objective: to console and help in the midst of the worst of tragedies.

Woman In Vegetative State For More Than A Decade Gives Birth

Currents News Staff

A stunning revelation at a healthcare facility in Phoenix.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe said one of its members, a 29-year-old woman living in a vegetative state for more than decade, was impregnated and had a baby while in the care of Hacienda Healthcare.

Legal analyst and attorney Brian Claypool says there is only one explanation for what happened, “If the woman in Phoenix was in a vegetative state and she gave birth to a child then she was raped because she could not have consented to a sexual relation.”

Karina Cesena, who’s 22-year-old daughter is a patient living at the facility says she and another mother panicked when they heard about the case.

“We were just so scared because who knows what would happen if it was a staff member it if was a family member if it was a stranger we have no idea,” said Cesena.

Cesena’s daughter is unable to walk and barely able to talk after suffering brain damage leaving her extremely vulnerable.

“I stay here 24-7 now to make sure she is in a safe environment as well and just move forward because trust has been severely broken,” she said.

As for the company’s CEO Bill Timmons, he resigned earlier this week.

And Hacienda Healthcare’s board sent out a statement calling what happened an “absolutely horrifying situation” and “an unprecedented case” without giving specifics of the case.

Phoenix police say they are investigating but have offered no additional details about the case.

Then on Tuesday Hacienda Healthcare released a statement saying “police served a search warrant” to “obtain DNA from male” staffers.

The company said it welcomed the development in the investigation.

Oval Address: Trump/Dems Spar Over Wall

Currents News Staff

A choice between right and wrong, that’s how President Trump described the need for a wall along the southern border.

But democrats dismissed the rhetoric and blamed the President for shutting down part of the government.

From the Oval Office President Trump spoke to the world about the U.S/Mexico border.

“This is a humanitarian crisis. A crisis of the heart and a crisis of the soul. All Americans are hurt by uncontrolled illegal migration. It strains public resources and drives down jobs and wages,” said Trump.

The President demanded nearly six billion dollars to fund a barrier at the border, saying “this barrier is absolutely critical to border security.”

On the opposite end of Pennsylvania Avenue in the halls of Congress, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rebutted the President’s claims.

“Democrats and the President both want stronger border security. However, we sharply disagree with the president about the most effective way to do it. The symbol of America should be the Statue of Liberty not a 30 foot wall,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The wall is at the center of the second longest government shutdown on record. About 800 thousand federal workers are furloughed or working without pay.

“President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage and stop manufacturing a crisis, and must reopen the government,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Despite the dueling speeches the President plans to meet with democratic and republican leaders Wednesday to see if there can be a solution that ends the shutdown.

“Hopefully we can rise above partisan politics in order to support national security,” said Trump.

Currents News for Tuesday, January 8th, 2019

On the newscast: President Trump is set to address the nation tonight – it’s a battle over the border wall; NYC residents will soon have guaranteed health care – Mayor De Blasio rolls out his plan; She used to do abortions and now she’s pro-life – one woman is spreading her message with a film; A local teen is headed to World Youth Day – and she’s got an important role.

Today’s top news from the Catholic perspective anchored by Liz Faublas. Currents News airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST on NET-TV (netny.tv)

Queens Teen Selected for World Youth Day Procession

By Tim Harfmann

Nineteen-year-old Vivian Argoty and her church’s youth minster, Angelica Taveras, were preparing to attend World Youth Day in Panama when they received the news. “I randomly received an email,” said Argoty. “She’s like, ‘Angela, I got this random email!’ I said, ‘let me see what it is!” said Taveras, the director of youth ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Queens Village.

It was from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Argoty was selected to be a candle bearer at an adoration prayer service for U.S. pilgrims. Argoty, a sophomore at Hofstra University and a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, couldn’t believe her eyes. “At first I wasn’t sure, like ‘well, what is this?’ but then I got more information about it and said, of course I’ll do it,” said Argoty.

Nearly 8,000 teenagers and young adults will attend the daylong event featuring music, prayer and fellowship. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston will preside over the service. “I think she’s perfect for it!” said Taveras. “The moment I knew she was chosen, I was like, ‘oh, this is great!’ I think for her faith, it’s very important. She will continue to grow in her faith.”

Argoty’s pastor, Father Patrick Longalong, said it’s an encounter she’ll never forget. “I hope the experience may inspire her to see the Church as a whole and that she can encourage other people to be able to reach out and understand that the Church community is a very big community,” said Father Longalong.

This will be Argoty’s first World Youth Day. “I know I’ll definitely cherish the moment because I’ll be in the presence of God even more, to be part of the adoration,” said Argoty.

Argoty will be one of nearly 200 pilgrims attending from Brooklyn and Queens. The delegation is expected to be one of the largest groups at the worldwide gathering.

Film Tells Former Planned Parenthood Employee’s Story

By Emily Drooby

Abby Johnson worked at Planned Parenthood for eight years, but left in 2009 after witnessing something that changed her perception.

Johnson, explained, “After witnessing a live ultrasound guided abortion procedure on a 13-week-old baby, seeing that there was indeed humanity in the womb and that I was on the wrong side of this debate. So I left and have since then been really trying to expose what’s happening inside of abortion clinics.”

After leaving her job as a Planned Parenthood clinic director, Johnson became an influential pro-life activist. Now her story has been turned into a movie called “Unplanned”.

Johnson, explained, “The hope is that, number one people will see the reality of abortion. That the brand of Planned Parenthood will be chipped away. Show what’s really taking place inside of these clinics the other hope is that it will bring hope to those who have had abortions that there is forgiveness, there is mercy.”

Johnson along with Keith Mason, a member of the film’s production team, previewed the movie for members of DeSales Media Group at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.

People asked Johnson questions, and got an early look at the film.

Monsignor Kieran Harrington, Vicar for Communications at the Diocese of Brooklyn, said, “It’s a very powerful film…It’s helpful to kind of understand how, film really does effect culture and I think this this film will go a long way to helping move the culture to kind of really see the evil of abortion.”} [14]

“Unplanned” is scheduled to be released in over 800 theaters across the country on March 22^nd. Johnson will also be speaking at March for Life, the world’s largest pro-life event. A trailer for the film will also be shown at that event.

NYC To Guarantee Healthcare

Currents News Staff

Every New York City resident will soon have guaranteed healthcare, regardless of immigration and financial status.

Mayor Bill De Blasio made the announcement today, saying the plan would include primary and specialty care as well as maternity, pediatric, and mental health services for all.

The plan is set to be rolled out later this year.

Interview: Kathleen Gallagher

Currents News Staff

The proposed ‘Reproductive Health Act’ raises some concerns with pro-life forces.

The director of pro-life activities at the New York State Catholic Conference, Kathleen Gallagher, opposes the bill, and she joins us to discuss its implications.

Shutdown Saga: Trump Considers National Emergency

Currents News Staff

President Trump is not backing down on his demand for his long-promised wall.

“We have to have border security. If we don’t have border security we’re going to be crime-ridden and it’s going to get worse and worse,” said Trump.

Democratic officials oppose the wall, and its price tag.

“I was shocked at what he said. He said I demand it my way, $5.6 billion for a big concrete wall, and the government could be shut down for months or even years,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

A source saying the president might tap military funding for wall construction.

“I may declare a national emergency dependent on what’s going to happen over next few days,” said Trump.

That idea has already drawn criticism.

“We can’t allow this continual process that was really modernized by the Tea Party that if I don’t get what I want, if I don’t get what I don’t have the votes for, if I don’t get what the country doesn’t want, I’m just going to shut down the government,” said Rep. Adam Schiff.

As this debate continues, the partial government shutdown rolls on, and both sides are blaming each other.

“This shutdown could end tomorrow and it could also go on for a long time. It really depends on the Democrats,” Trump said.

“There is one, only one, cause of this shutdown and that is President Trump,” said Schumer.

President Trump also said he expects “very serious talks” on the issue over the next few days.

Democratic Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen say no non-shutdown related legislation should be taken up until the matter is resolved.