The scope of human trafficking and slavery has come into sharp focus over the past years with an estimated 27 million slaves worldwide—more than any other time in history. Human trafficking is also the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, generating over $32 billion in profits to traffickers annually according to some estimates. These are our current policy priorities:

Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4) 
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPRA) provides the tools necessary to provide services to survivors and to combat trafficking and modern-day slavery at home and abroad. The act has expired—placing critical anti-trafficking initiatives at risk. Act Now to help pass the TVPRA. 

Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act (H.R. 2759) 
The Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act (H.R. 2759) would require companies with $100 million or more in revenues to report about their efforts to address slavery within their business operations, including supply chains and labor management. By establishing clear federal transparency requirements and providing the public with information, businesses benefit from a level playing field and can avoid a patchwork of state laws.

Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking Act of 2011 (H.R. 2730)
The trafficking of children for both sexual and labor exploitation is an egregious human rights abuse affecting a growing number of youth in the United States, many of whom come into contact with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.  ATEST is working to improve  the proper identification of and services to child trafficking victims by promoting the passage of H.R. 2730, Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act.  This is a critical piece of federal legislation that works to ensure that child victims of human trafficking are being properly identified by state child welfare agencies and receiving the comprehensive services they need to recover.

Anti-Slavery And Human Trafficking Appropriations
ATEST makes recommendations to Congress on how to leverage federal funding for law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute traffickers, and to provide much needed services for victims to rebuild their lives. Read more, including our FY2013 Guide to Anti-Slavery Funding.

Foreign Labor Recruiters Legislation
Labor recruiters are often complicit or directly involved in the trafficking of workers, exploiting U.S. nonimmigrant visa programs. Legislation to strengthen regulation of foreign labor recruiters is an essential element in the prevention of human trafficking and forced labor.

White House and Agency Initiatives
Combating modern-day slavery requires a comprehensive, committed and coordinated response by the president and many federal agencies. Read more about White House and agency initiatives and an ATEST report, "A Path to Freedom" that outlines recommendations for a second-term agenda to the Obama Administration.