Role Of America in Human Trafficking

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The trafficking of human beings for slave labor and sexual exploitation is one of the fastest growing global problems. It has been called the "dark side of globalization" because an enormous upsurge of human enslavement has accompanied a border-free world economy (Miller). Trafficking in persons is a transnational crime that touches people in every nation, and even neighborhoods in this country. The vast reach of human trafficking stunned my own community, when we learned that a 12-year-old Egyptian girl was imprisoned as a domestic slave in the garage of a family home in Irvine, California. Like many victims of trafficking, she was sold by impoverished parents and transported illegally across international borders. While in captivity, she was physically abused, called the "The Stupid Girl", and threatened if she should attempt escape (U.S. Immigration). This young girl is just one of an estimated 2-4 million girls who are globally trafficked every year (Clark).

The United States Government regards human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery, a violation of fundamental human rights, and a threat to national and global security (Trafficking). In recent years, combating human trafficking has become a primary foreign policy objective of the United States Government. (Matar). To support this goal, Congress enacted The Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000 (P.L. 106-386), which directs the Foreign Service to work with other nations to address the international epidemic of human trafficking. Throughout the world, Foreign Service Officers ("FSO's") promote United States polices and programs to eliminate the trafficking in persons. They play a critical frontline role in an ongoing struggle to protect vulnerable people from ...

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...rafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report".

http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/.

15. Miller, John, Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. U.S. State Department. "Pathbreaking Strategies in the Global Fight Against Sex Trafficking," Washington, D.C., February 21, 2003.

http://fpc.state.gov/fpc/17870.htm

16. U. S. Embassy Chisisnau, Moldova.7 May 2004 "Excerpt From The Report "Supporting Human Rights And Democracy: The U.S. Record 2003-2004" Issued On May 17, 2004 Regarding Moldova".

http://www.usembassy.md/en-05172004.htm.

17. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. News Release. February 3, 2005. "Ice Investigation Leads To Involuntary Servitude Charges Against Irvine Couple For Holding Girl As Domestic Slave".

http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/slave020305.htm.

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