the united states government estimated in 2002 that each year up to 50,000 people are trafficked illegally into the united states, mostly women and children, and are trapped in slavery-like situations. as a response, it enacted the victims of trafficking and violence protection act of 2000 (vtvpa), which, among other things, allows such people to apply for 3-year temporary visas that lead to permanent resident status. in 2006, congress modified 8 cfr 214.11(p) to now have the t-visa to be for 4 years. although 5,000 are available per year, only 2,000 had been issued as of january, 2009. in 2017, there were 8524 cases of human trafficking being reported to national human trafficking hotline. and up to 2018, allowed stay period for people who are granted with t- visa is still 4 years.