Anna I Rodriguez has served as a victim advocate with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and an outreach coordinator for the Immokalee Shelter for Abuse Women in Collier County, Florida. During her 10 years serving CCSO, first as a volunteer and then as a Victim Advocate, Anna had accumulated near 300 hours of numerous trainings and development programs offered by different law enforcement agencies. In Immokalee, she created a “Home Visitation” program to follow up on cases served by her. Implementing this program resulted in open lines of communication with all sectors of the community. She earned the respect and cooperation of the Hispanics, Haitians, African Americans and Caucasians alike.

Her first experience with a Human Trafficking case was in 1999; U.S. vs. Tecum. It developed from a “home visitation” following up on a domestic violence incident. She noticed the presence of a young female who turned out to be a victim of human trafficking. Anna identified “red flags” that made her suspicious and eventually she helped get the victim out. Today the Tecum case has become a major case study by agencies including USDOJ, FSU, Croft Institute for International and New York Times. Anna was also able to identify and work with the FBI and USDOJ on a domestic servitude case and sex trafficking case known as the “ Blackjack “ case, in which she also assisted ICE.

In recognition of Anna’s work and dedication, she was invited as part of the Tecum case team, along with the Federal Prosecutors and the victim, by Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, to be recognized and witness the signing of the “T VISA” in Washington DC. She has also received numerous letters of commendation from Collier County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. On account of the Tecum, Domestic Servitude, Blackjack and other slavery cases, she also received a Special Recognition from the FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC for her work and assistance. On July 16th, 2004 in Tampa, Anna was publicly recognized by President George W. Bush during his speech at the US Department of Justice national Human Trafficking Conference for her dedication to rescue human trafficking victims. She was also recognized by US Congressman Mario Diaz Balart with the American Flag from the US Capitol and a Certificate of Recognition. Anna has been featured in the Florida Chief magazine for her valuable work. Anna received the 2009 Women of Peace Award and was on the top 10 finalist for the 2009 Florida Women Hall of Fame.

Anna’s work has been recognized by author David Batstone in his book Not for Sale, as well as a human trafficking documentary produced by Robert Macarrelli. Anna has also been recognized by Producer Michael Cory Davis on Cargo: Innocence Lost, Marynoll Production on Lives for Sale, The Florida Channel on Crossroads: Slavery in Florida, CBS Evening News and CBS Early Show, Univision, Telemundo, Wink TV News, Fox News, CNN, Atlanta Journal, Miami Times, Terra Communications, Naples Daily News and News Press. She is currently working on 1 human trafficking book and 2 documentaries.

Anna has received numerous recognitions and awards for her passion and dedication to identify, rescue and restore victims lives. Anna travels around the nation speaking and training law enforcement, community organizations and faith based organizations about human trafficking.

Anna has also conducted trainings in Guatemala, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Peru, Chile, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Costa Rica, London, Saint Lucia, Bolivia, Paraguay, Trinidad/Tobago and Ecuador as part of the OAS Human Trafficking Training Delegation. Anna was also invited to speak at the United Nations during the premier of Lives for Sale and she spoke during the Florida Premier of TRADE. Most recently, Anna was a presenter at the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives convening of a Compassion in Action Roundtable entitled, “Faith-Based and Community Solutions to Combat Human Trafficking.”

In 2004 Anna founded the Immigrant Rights Advocacy Center, Inc. / Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking in Naples, Florida. Today the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking has offices in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Shalimar and their headquarters are in Bonita Springs, Florida. They have also established 4 new Rescue and Restore Coalitions in the State of Florida as well as 3 human trafficking task forces.