Virginia could be doing more to prevent human trafficking and help survivors, according to the latest report from a state commission tasked with studying the issue.

The Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support found enforcement hasn't been consistent in the state, and said a regional approach would better coordinate law-enforcement efforts. The commission's report also said it's important to seek accountability - not only from traffickers, but those who benefit from criminal conduct and the people who create a demand for this vulnerable workforce.

Alex Delgado, public policy manager for ECPAT-USA, a nonprofit that works to stop child trafficking, said he thinks the report should have addressed eliminating life sentences without parole for minors.

"It would definitely be a big step forward in helping support survivors of human trafficking," he said, "especially minors who were forced to do criminal acts by their trafficker, that are then given life in jail even though they're minors, and it's clearly something that was done under duress and manipulation."

In 2020, Virginia was awarded a grant to develop services for underage victims of sex trafficking. These include referral and case-management services, a dedicated residential facility for juveniles, and free legal services for young survivors of trafficking.

The commission's report also described how Virginia can provide more equitable access to care for trafficking survivors. It suggested partnering with nonprofits and the private sector to increase resources for their mental and behavioral health needs. Now that the report is out, Delgado stressed that sincere action must be taken on its findings.

"You simply can't just have the report and then not take any of those steps forward," he said. "It needs to come with action, and both the governor and the Virginia Legislature need to make sure they're introducing this legislation, and following through with what the commission has put forward."

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 140 cases of human trafficking were identified in Virginia in 2021, involving 179 victims.

Illinois is making history as the first state to collect Middle Eastern and North African representation data on all state forms and surveys.

With the passage of House Bill 3768 Illinois will count Arab Americans and other minorities from the Middle East and North Africa.

Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, said the data collected is far more than just symbolic.

"You are valued, and you will no longer be invisible in the data," Rashid explained. "When the census was being done in 2020, Arab American organizations were encouraging people to write under the 'other' section to say Middle Eastern or Arab or Palestinian or whatever your background was. They have been defaulted to 'white,' so we have been completely invisible in the data."

The 2020 census was supposed to have a checkbox for Middle Eastern and North African residents, but it was removed by President Donald Trump prior to data collection.

Arab communities have been fighting to be included in the census for decades, so it is not a new idea but Rashid said it finally allows for them to be seen. Rashid argued the data will have real-world effects, and they will be able to see outcomes in health care, education, employment and economics and get a glimpse into what the needs and challenges are. Once there is enough data, they will know how to make adjustments to serve the communities better. He encouraged people to use the checkbox.

"This data, once it starts being collected and once we have enough of it, will give us really important insights," Rashid contended. It will become very important to help us understand the lives and needs of the Arab American community in Illinois."

Gov. JB Pritzker tweeted this week history had been made and he looks forward to signing the bill into law to ensure a more equitable Illinois.


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The Michigan Senate has passed legislation to confirm wearing natural hair should not prevent anyone from rising in the workplace, in education or in society in general.

Renee McCauley, a great-grand niece of civil-rights icon Rosa Parks, said the CROWN Act finally allows Michigan as a state to embrace her family and heritage fully.

She described how her great grand aunt relocated from Alabama to Detroit because of racism and was welcomed by the city to live and be herself.

"With the passing of Senate Bill 90 and the CROWN Act, I think that's a step in saying OK to some more of the ideals of embracing how people are as their natural selves," McCauley stated. "I think she would agree with that. I'm happy, I just think it's a great day for Michigan."

The CROWN Act is law in 20 U.S. states, 44 cities and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the CROWN Act's website. Five states have not filed legislation for the act. The bill now moves to the House.

At a news conference following passage of the act, Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, recalled stories of discrimination including a young girl in Mount Pleasant whose hair was cut by school personnel, an elementary school child in Jackson who was told she could not pose for school pictures because of her braids, and a man in mid-Michigan who was denied health care coverage.

Chris White, Michigan state director for Restaurant Opportunity Centers United, expanded on the limitations specifically in the restaurant industry.

"If you're a waitress, will you get scheduled for shifts where the big tips come where the restaurant is the busiest? Will you get a promotion if there's a general-manager position or district-manager position open?" White asked. "We have to take into account hair discrimination and promotional opportunities."

The CROWN Act will protect against discrimination on hair texture and race-based hairstyles, including but not limited to braids, dreadlocks, twists and Afros.

Japanese Americans gather this weekend for memorial events at the World War II Topaz internment camp in Delta, and in Salt Lake City, to mark the 80th anniversary of a murder.

In 1943, James Wakasa was walking his dog inside the internment camp when an Army guard shot and killed him, alleging Wakasa was trying to escape.

Ann Tamaki Dion, a third generation Japanese American, a Topaz camp descendant and president of the group Friends of Topaz, a group which actively supports the Topaz Museum in Delta, said several of her family members lived or were born at the internment camp.

"Yes it's a personal story, but it is an important story for all Americans," Dion explained. "Because we happened to be a targeted group in 1942. But this can certainly happen to any other group in the United States."

Dion added the event which took Wakasa's life at age 63 symbolizes not only his tragic death, but the many injustices endured by Japanese Americans incarcerated during the war. Dion noted on Friday and Saturday, groups will commemorate his life and bring the community together, to continue to heal.

According to Friends of Topaz, from 1942 to 1945, more than 11,000 people of Japanese descent were imprisoned at the Topaz camp, most of them American citizens. Today, although many have since passed away, friends and descendants will commemorate their survivors' experiences and stories, and reflect on the impact on generations who followed.

"This is a trauma that has passed down, it's a history that we always shared within the family," Dion observed. "And to get a form of resolution and recognition in sharing the story, because it is very important."

Dion added some of those in attendance are survivors of other internment camps, as well as the people of Delta, whom she said "saw fit to help preserve" the stories of Topaz. Some of their stories are shared online at topazstories.com.


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