"Investigations into trafficking and human exploitation have lost momentum because U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation campaign has absorbed resources from other agencies that previously focused on combating labor and sexual exploitation. Since Trump's return to the White House, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants has become the top priority for many agencies that formerly investigated other crimes. According to data obtained by the CATO Institute, 42,153 personnel including 28,390 from federal law enforcement agencies have been redirected to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."
"At the State Department, the Trump administration cut more than 70% of the staff at the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), which is responsible for leading anti-trafficking initiatives across the federal government. Advocates against trafficking warn that the reduction in personnel threatens to undo decades of progress in the fight to stop sexual slavery, forced labor, and sexual exploitation."
Two Latina minors, ages 14 and 17, were freed from their exploiter in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Ramiro Caal Jolomna was charged with human trafficking, involuntary servitude, and related offenses for forcing the girls to work without pay under threats of deportation. Experts note many trafficking cases never come to light. Federal resources and personnel have been redirected to prioritize detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, reducing capacity to investigate labor and sexual exploitation. CATO Institute data show 42,153 personnel were reassigned to assist ICE, and the State Department cut over 70% of staff at the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, raising warnings that progress against sexual slavery and forced labor is at risk. Minors and women remain especially vulnerable to traffickers while fleeing violence and poverty.
Read at english.elpais.com
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