On Thursday, May 14^th, Life Span joined Freedom Network USA (“FNUSA”) v. Trump et. al, a case challenging executive orders and funding conditions that restrict Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, endanger immigrant survivors, and threaten our work to serve and empower human trafficking survivors. FNUSA v. Trump was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. Life Span is represented by a team of civil rights lawyers from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Crowell & Moring LLP. The lawsuit asks the court to grant a preliminary injunction blocking the funding conditions, arguing that they are unlawful and unconstitutional.

In our work to establish safety as a human right, Life Span provides human trafficking survivors with counseling, advocacy, safety planning, and legal representation. Our Human Trafficking Project staff are specially trained to connect those who have experienced human trafficking to a variety of trauma-informed services to obtain safety and exit the life of trafficking. Our dedicated staff work with community partners to recognize human trafficking and connect those who have experienced trafficking to Life Span for services.

We know that human trafficking does not affect all communities equally and we are committed to serving the communities that are the most vulnerable to exploitation. We deserve clarity for our organization and the survivors we serve.

What does this mean for the survivors we serve today?

Regardless of the outcome of this case, Life Span remains determined to provide comprehensive integrated counseling, legal, and advocacy services to survivors of human trafficking. But without an injunction, Life Span may not be able to help all the survivors that come to our doors, because of the funding conditions. We refuse to be in a position to turn away vulnerable survivors seeking safety.

Why Life Span? Why now?

With nearly 50 years of advocacy for those who need it most, why not Life Span? Joining Freedom Network USA v. Trump et. al does not call Life Span to change our mission or the core of our work. It calls us to do what is necessary to serve the most vulnerable in our communities without harming our organization.

For Life Span, this is not a political issue. This is a constitutional issue. The outcome of this case could directly affect survivors who rely on Life Span to achieve long-term safety. That is not a responsibility we take lightly.