Labor recruiters are often complicit or directly involved in the trafficking of workers, exploiting U.S. nonimmigrant visa programs. Operating in a climate of impunity, they lure impoverished and desperate foreign workers to the United States, promising jobs described as plentiful and lucrative. They rely on coercive tactics, charging guest workers exorbitant illegal fees that often force the workers to stay in abusive or exploitative working conditions under debt bondage or other forms of slavery.

Legislation to strengthen regulation of foreign labor recruiters is an essential element in the prevention of human trafficking and forced labor. In 2007, Representative George Miller introduced the Indentured Servitude Abolition Act (H.R.1763). In 2011, Representative Chris Smith Introduced the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 3589). This bill as originally introduced included all of the ATEST recommended language related to labor recruiters. Enacting these provisions has therefore enjoyed truly bi-partisan support. 

ATEST is calling on Congress to pass legislation that would:

• Require increased transparency by and registration of foreign labor contractors/recruiters in order to prevent exorbitant fees that result in situations of debt bondage or create vulnerability to other forms of human trafficking, forced labor and modern-day slavery.
• Provide businesses and workers with helpful tools to identify and utilize legitimate foreign labor recruiters.

Learn more about the need for Foreign Labor Recruiters legislation:

• Fact Sheet: Strengthen Regulation of Foreign Labor Recruiters to Prevent Human Trafficking and Forced Labor
• ATEST Letter: Support, Strengthen the End Trafficking in Government Trafficking Act (05/16/12)