Human Trafficking in Hair Salons
Filed under: Cuts & Style, Hair, News
Photo: Getty Images
A West African immigrant has pleaded guilty to running a human trafficking operation that forced women to braid hair for up to 14 hours a day in Newark and East Orange NJ, reports the New Jersey Star Ledger.
In a case prosecutors equated to modern day slavery, Lassissi Afolabi, 46, told a judge he headed a ring that smuggled victims from villages in Ghana and Togo. He brought twenty women, age 10 to 19, to New Jersey, where he seized their passports, forbade them to learn English and make friends, and planted them in salons where they were forced to work up to 14 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Though not as horrific as sex-trafficking, this story brings to light the exploitation of innocents who want to find a better life in the US. And this is only one case -- we wonder how many more women are being made to work against their will in salons across the country?
gary 8-30-2009 @ 4:12PM
And just what the hell does this have to do with the article???????????????
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parrotthegreat 8-30-2009 @ 4:14PM
THAT'S MODERN SLAVERY....JUST LIKE IN MEXICO OR COLOMBIA...EVEN KIDS ARE WORKING IN THOSE COUNTRIES 18 HOURS A DAY!!..HOW COME OBAMA IS HELPING COLOMBIA WITH BILLION OF DOLLARS???..AND TRYING TI SIGN A FREE TRADE TREATY WITH A COUNTRY WHERE SLAVERY IS VERY COMMON?
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pdr 8-30-2009 @ 6:16PM
Here is an excerpt from the NJ Star Ledger for you idiots who are bashing Obama :
"Afolabi is the second member of the alleged ring to admit guilt. He has been in custody since 2007."
So now I guess you will congratulate GW Bush since the arrest happened duriing his term...LoL
Eileen 8-30-2009 @ 4:17PM
I wish people would stop advertising on these boards!!! Aol!! Wake up and monitor the boards, ugh!!
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mc 8-30-2009 @ 7:28PM
I agree with you. These ads are very annoying.
ck 8-30-2009 @ 9:07PM
Click on REPORT and report these boards to AOL. Don't add to them by going on and commenting about them . Then they know people are reading the..
ken 9-08-2009 @ 3:06PM
Eileen 8-30-2009 @ 4:17PM
I wish people would stop advertising on these boards!!! Aol!! Wake up and monitor the boards, ugh!!
REPORT THEM WHEN THEY ADVERTISE !!! CLICK ON THE GRAY ! AFTER THE GREEN THIS WILL GET THEM REPORTED TO AOL THIS WAY AOL CAN MONITOR THERE POSTINGS AOL CAN NO WAY KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING WITH OUT HELP
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Aggie 8-30-2009 @ 4:38PM
There should be a crack down on all Africian and Asian Salons.
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kim 8-30-2009 @ 5:10PM
THE ASIAN SALONS WANT CASH ONLY FOR THEIR SERVICES , I THINK THE GOVERNMENT IF THEY EVEN CARE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SHADING WAY OF HIDING TAXABLE WAGES!!
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Christopher Hacke 8-30-2009 @ 5:20PM
And people wonder how this can happen with all the Nigerian email scams, the Burundi genocide, the Ghana corruption and the majority of African nations evil and slime, greedy political leaders and millitary tyrants. No wonder Obama doesn't talk too much about his "pure" African backgrouond anymore like he used to while being political organizer in Chicago and the early days of his campaign.
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YEP 8-30-2009 @ 5:38PM
Its raining - blame Obama
Its not raining - Blame Obama
Get over it Dude - The party of NO - lost the election.
Matt 8-30-2009 @ 6:24PM
Seriously, you are a grade-A+ douchebag. Ghana? WTF.
tjm 8-30-2009 @ 5:22PM
so where is "rev'jackson,'rev'sharpton, and all the rest of the phony race baiters that would be screaming and protesting if there was a whitey around to blame- where the hell is the illgal husein with his pontificating- open your eyes people and see these hypocrite bastards for what they are
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Blade 8-30-2009 @ 6:52PM
I absolutely agree, them not making any statement on this tells me that they are playing the double stanard line. The fact is if it had been a white person they would of been the first ones screaming.
j 8-30-2009 @ 5:26PM
You know... immigration is fine, my Grandfather came here through Ellis Island... did it the right way... legally. He worked hard all his life LEGALLY.
WHAT has happened to the legitimate immigrant ? They come here and reek havoc on our country with their illegal and immoral acts. I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT ! I'M SICK OF SUPPORTING THEM !
WHEN are 'our leaders' going to LEAD ? Instead of focusing on GREED and what will benefit THEM ?
It's past time that these issues are addressed - I mean really WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG ???????!!!! WTH ?
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lili salazar 8-30-2009 @ 8:18PM
Many people do not have the opportunity to come to the US, LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, legally. In Mexico, for example, you have to have a certain amount of money in a bank account, and have decent amount of income in the Household. HELLOOOO, if these people had money in the bank and income, there would be no need to come to the US. Unfortunately, other countries do not have the government assistance we have, such as Welfare, SSI, Disability, Unemployment, WIC, etc.... Please do not judge Immigrants without knowing all the facts. I, too, had grandparents that came here legally, but because there are so many migrants now in the US (including your ancestors), the US had to come up with rules to stop the overflow. At the time when your grandparents came across, there were no requisites, they were able to just walk across the border, not like today. Where would you be now if your grandparents were not able to come to the US? Would you be trying to come here now? Also, remember, with no employments opportunities, there is no money, and even coming here illegally requires money. Don't you think these people want to stay in their home country with their family and friends, coming to an unknown country is frightening, how would you survive if you had to go to another country not knowing the language, with no money for food or shelter, and not knowing anyone, leaving behind your family and having to find employment to send back to support that family. Do you think these immigrants want to live like that? If so, I hope you never have to find out what their world is like.
j 8-30-2009 @ 11:17PM
I agree, check YOUR facts. Ellis Island was NOT just a walk across the border. There definitely were requisites ! Immigrants stayed there until they were approved... and if not approved returned to there homeland. My Grandfather had only $16.00 when he came to this country and he still managed to do it the right way. The immigrants I and many Americans disapprove of are the illegals with the crime ridden lifestyles they bring with them. This article and my comments are about such immigrants. In no way do I discriminate against any human being in this world looking for a better life... but NOT at the expense of another. Legal Immigration is a start to keeping the criminals out, as well as in keeping it fair to American Citizens in the unfair distribution of our tax dollars to such illegals. American's have hearts and do reach out to many countries that are poor. We do know what there worlds are like, and are more than grateful for our home here in America. As an activisit and a missionary for those in need... and informed citizen of Ellis Island Immigrants, your comments are unfounded.
Steve 8-30-2009 @ 6:15PM
Doesn't surprise me, frankly if they were American I would be concerned. I think these third world idiots get what they deserve. They want to come here, god forbid it should be the right way. They play our system and tax payers suffer. I wish we could make them all work 14 hour days!!! SEND THEM ALL BACK!!! WE HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS THAT ARE HOME GROWN!!!!!
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CeCe 8-30-2009 @ 6:44PM
You are right that they should all be sent back. And now! But that won't happen. One reason is it would be to simple. Instead we will continue to support illegal immigrants though many of them don't work and didn't intend to when they sneaked into the US. And before any of you bleeding hearts get on your high horse, look up the word 'illegal'! Many of you seem to have forgotten what it means! I suggest you live in a border town for awhile and then let me hear what you have to say about these poor maligned people.
TODD 8-30-2009 @ 5:45PM
Black people sold each other the first time too, and they want to blame white people for slavery. Your own sold your ass and will do it again if given the chance.
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