“When I decided to come to the United States, my hope was to work for a few years to support my family and then return to India. I never thought that things would get so bad here, that I would work so much that I did not have time to sleep or eat or have time to myself. Because of this treatment, I requested that I return to India but that request was denied.” – Sangeeta Richard
Safe Horizon applauds the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York for indicting Ms. Khobragade on charges of visa fraud and making false statements in connection with her treatment of our client. This indictment demonstrates the seriousness with which the US government treats labor exploitation.
“I hope that this case sends a clear message to diplomats and consular officials that the U.S. will not tolerate the exploitation of workers and marks the beginning of an increase in prosecution of these cases,” Avaloy Lanning, Senior Director of the Anti-Trafficking Program at Safe Horizon.
Unfortunately, Sangeeta’s story is tragically common. Safe Horizon has seen a number of cases over the years involving diplomatic employers and exploitative labor conditions for their domestic workers. Workers who come to the U.S. deserve safe and fair working conditions regardless of their employer.
We hope that this case encourages individuals in similarly exploitative situations to come forward. There are wide networks of resources available to survivors of labor exploitation. Organizations like Safe Horizon are committed to providing support, services, assistance, and help to victims and continuing to help exploited people of all ages, genders and immigration statuses.
“I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has supported me through this process.” – Sangeeta Richard
""I wonder if I will be able to ever reunite with my family, my husband, my little kids. I miss them," Khobragade told The Sunday Express.
"What if my children choose to study and work in the US? What if I can never return to the US, which I cannot now. Does it mean we will never be able to live together as a family again?" she said.
Are these the words of an Indian Diplomat? Whats the meaning of a Diplomat any more? If this lady's plan eventually was to to immigrate to USA, what respect we and the host country can give to this lady ( as DIPLOMAT ), and the country she represents ( INDIA ). Where will our PROUD motherland reach when all the IFS people posted in plum North American and European countries eventually use tricks ( knowingly or unknowingly ) toemigrate to those countries?
Shame on our system which allowed these things happen. Shame on our sycophant leaders(especially those Malayali 'leaders' who support the master class for any dirty stuff. THANKS to America and distric attorney for doing a great job on our behalf of weeding out bad elements on all of our behalf who live in USA who wants PROFESSIONAL Diplomats in the consulate to represent India and for expatriates service.