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Forced Labor in Boston, Massachusetts (2023)

A forced labor case from 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. 1 source on file.

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What happened

Brazilian workers trafficked for forced labor in house cleaning companies. Recruited in Minas Gerais with promises of high wages, documents confiscated upon arrival. Accused: Brazilian-American cleaning company owners.

Response and intervention

Massachusetts Attorney General labor trafficking unit. Company owners convicted; workers awarded back wages and T-visas. Brazilian Worker Center.

Bonded Labor2009

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 2009

United States US

Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2024

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 2024

United States

Family smuggled Brazilian migrants into the US for $18,000-22,000 fees, then forced them to work off the debt at two Woburn restaurants under threats of violence and deportation. Accused: Jesse James Moraes, Hugo Giovanni Moraes, and Chelbe Willams Moraes.

1 source
Sex Trafficking2007

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 2007

United States US

Vanessa Cristina Guedes Lopes, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for bringing aliens to the U.S. illegally, bringing individuals in interstate commerce for prostitution, sex trafficking, and conspiracy. In addition, she has been convicted for making false statements in immigration documents—she will be deported after serving her sentence. Lopes recruited women, advertised them online, and sent them to various cities in Massachusetts. She coerced the women into staying through the use of threats, such as the deportation.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016