Trump administration retreats on combating human trafficking, child exploitation
3 hours ago
- #immigration-enforcement
- #Trump-administration
- #human-trafficking
- The Trump administration has rolled back federal efforts to combat human trafficking, impacting initiatives across multiple departments.
- Key agencies like the Department of State, Justice, Labor, and Homeland Security have seen staff reductions, grant delays, and shifted priorities.
- DHS agents previously focused on human trafficking investigations have been reassigned to immigration enforcement, including deportations.
- The State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) saw a 71% staff reduction, delaying critical reports and grants.
- The annual TIP report, a key tool for evaluating global anti-trafficking efforts, was not released on time for the first time in 14 years.
- Immigration enforcement has led to the arrest and deportation of trafficking victims, undermining protections like the T visa program.
- Funding cuts have affected domestic and international anti-trafficking programs, including legal services for unaccompanied migrant children.
- Advocates criticize the administration's focus on deportation over victim protection, arguing it enables traffickers to operate with impunity.
- The Justice Department's grants for victim services are at risk, with organizations facing potential shutdowns due to funding delays.
- Critics accuse the Trump administration of using anti-trafficking rhetoric for political gain rather than substantive policy changes.