New York, Decemer 9, 2007---Africans In America Newswatch has learnt that a Nigerian victim of human trafficking Celestina Ifeacho Joseph imprisoned and nearly deported by the United States Immigrations Services in Houston, Texas had been released from the INS detention.

It has to be recalled that when this victim was about to be deported to Nigeria in March 2007 Africans In America, Inc. a New York-based human rights organization raising awareness on issues facing African immigrants in United States was requested to intervene to appeal to the government of United States to stop her deportation with a view to properly investigate her case. This request is based on the organization’s track record on African human trafficking cases in New York area. Africans In America, Inc. obliged the request and sent letter of support on behalf of Celestina Ifeacho Joseph to the President Bush and other key United States government officials and civil societies in Houston, Texas calling for thorough investigation of her claims.

The Africans In America, Inc.’s letter of support stated that Celestina Ifeacho Joseph case “appears to fit into the profile of classic case of this modern-day slavery called human trafficking.”

Below are other excerpts from the letter of support; “In fact, Celestina’s ordeal is similar to the ordeal of one of our clients who was trafficked into New York City from Nigeria in 1988 at age of 11 to take care of 2 children. The trafficker started having sex with the 11 years old victim immediately upon arrival and got her pregnant at age of 13.

The Bronx District Attorney arrested the perpetrator while New York City Child Welfare Administration placed the victim in a foster care agency. She remained at the agency till she was 21 years old and got discharged. Interviewed by the Child Welfare Office, Foster Care Agency, and District Attorney’s Office, still she was not recognized as a victim of human trafficking and was not provided the necessary social and immigration services and referrals because agency knowledge of human trafficking issues was shallow and limited at that time.

In about 1998 she received a letter of deportation from the U.S. Immigration.

Following the intervention of our Board members and explanation of her situation, the U.S. Immigration, New York graciously reversed its decision, investigated her case and wrote Law Enforcement Statement on her behalf with which she was certified as victim of human trafficking by the DHHS, and eventually granted a T visa by Dept of Homeland Security.

Therefore, I am writing to support a call for thorough investigation of this Celestina Ifeacho Joseph’s case with view of treating her as a victim of human trafficking, violence against woman and people with disability; if it is determined to be so, as well as providing her necessary social and immigration services.”

The letter was signed by Bonaventure Ezekwenna, Executive Director.

Subsequently, Celestina Ifeacho Joseph who stated that her guards in detention had instructed her to get her 20 pounds bag in readiness to be deported any moment was eventually not deported when her fellow detainees were deported in March 2007. The government, it was believed then began investigation of her claims.

Africans In America Newswatch investigation reveals that other organizations may have also intervened to save Celestina Ifeacho Joseph from deportation by calling for thorough investigation of her case.

Nine (9) months after these interventions, Celestina Ifeacho Joseph was reportedly released from Immigrations and Naturalization Services (INS) detention.

Celestina’s ordeal allegedly began in 1984 at tender age of 10 when she was brought into Houston from Nigeria to live with her auntie, Mrs. Beatrice Nwakego Ikeakor (fondly called Mrs. Betty Ego Ikeakor), her husband and family. The main bone of contention is what happened to Celestina from the time she arrived in Ikeakor family home in Houston from 1984 at age of 10 to the time she left them in 1999 at age of 25.

Like every other African human trafficking cases before, Celestina Ifeacho Joseph has its share of controversies, pitching the usually more affluent alleged traffickers and their supporters against the few supporters of the poor victims is commonplace phenomena within the African communities all over the world.

Interestingly, Africans In America Newswatch investigation reveals that in this case, however, the alleged traffickers and the supporters of Celestina Ifeacho Joseph knew themselves very well because they come from the same town and area in Nigeria, and they have a lot of ax to grind. Therefore, Celestina Ifeacho Joseph case presents a perfect opportunity which her supporters now use to settle old scores.

Following its own investigations and findings, Africans In America, Inc. refused efforts by both the alleged traffickers and the supporters of Celestina Ifeacho Joseph to be dragged into settling their personal and old scores, but rather decided to stick with issues of getting the truth and justice for this Africans victim of human trafficking in INS detention facing deportation. At the same time, Africans In America, Inc. discovered that its name was used to solicit for funds without permission by those claiming to support Celestina, and raised objection to such practice.

Africans In America, Inc.’s refusal to be dragged into bitter personal feuds and refusal to allow its name to be used for fundraising without permission did not settle down well with certain interests in Houston supporting Celestina case. Subsequently, Africans In America, Inc.’s telephone numbers and email were bombarded with threats and harassments. Partner organizations working with Africans In America, Inc. also received harassments from the same party.

Human trafficking has been recognized by the world community as one of the most serious problem facing mankind today. Infact, global community ranks human trafficking as either number 2 or 3 problem in the world today; arms smuggling is number one, drugs smuggling and human trafficking are struggling over number 2 and 3 position in UN crime index.

Commenting on the release of Celestina Ifeacho Joseph, the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc. Bonaventure Ezekwenna stated, “that is a welcome news in the battle against human trafficking, especially within the African communities in United States. Our community is in denial and cases such as Celestina’s in Houston, Texas will definitely wake up our community over there and its environ to the reality on the issues.”

Commenting further, Bonaventure Ezekwenna stated,”We could not comment on the specifics about her case because we do not know the whole story or the condition of her reported release. All we know is the information we get from the news media and the public. But in view of the information we have about the bitter conflicts between her alleged traffickers and some of her alleged supporters (including their history), she may have to walk a very delicate and tight rope. She should stick with the truth and nothing but the truth about what happened to her, who did what and what she knows. She should not allow herself to be pressurized into concocted stories. Stick with the truth, that’s it”

Mr. Ezekwenna added, “I am being very careful here because I had received threats to my life and threats to harm my organization from individuals involved in this Celestina Ifeacho Joseph case in Houston for my refusal to go along with their certain agenda. But let me make this clear; though I was threatened by them, I’m not scared, either. In this work, one does not succumb to threats and harassment.”

Pressed to name who threatened him and the nature of the threats, Mr. Ezekwenna refused to elaborate and instead prefers to celebrate the news of Celestina’s release following his intervention as another achievement of Africans In America, Inc.
“There is time for every thing, we may talk about the threats and harrassements in future, or we may never talk about it ever again. It depends. But please, let me rather say this; we are happy that the United States government considered our request and opened investigation on Celestina Ifeacho Joseph’s case which you are seeing the result today. It did not come as quickly as some people want it but at least the system is working. This is better than deportation to Nigeria. May God continue to bless America.”