FEDERAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING LAWS
Below is a summary of the human trafficking laws and regulations at time of publishing.
U.S. Code, Title 22, Chapter 78 - Trafficking Victims Protection
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (TVPA). TVPA combats trafficking in persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and involuntary servitude. It has been reauthorized three times since its initial passage:
- TVPRA (2003) (PDF, 13 pages - 54 KB)
- TVPRA (2005) (PDF, 17 pages - 86 KB)
- TVPRA (2008) (PDF, 49 pages - 275 KB)
The Customs and Facilitations and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009. Sections 307 and 308 of the Act amend the original Tariff Act of 1930 to include provisions to prohibit the importation of goods to the United States made by benefit of human trafficking or forced labor.
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Section 7202 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act established the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center to achieve greater integration and overall effectiveness in the U.S. government's enforcement and other response efforts, and to work with foreign governments to address the separate but related issues of alien smuggling, trafficking in persons, and criminal support of clandestine terrorist travel.
PROTECT Act of 2003 (PDF, 47 pages - 279 KB). The PROTECT Act (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today) intends to protect children from abuse and sexual exploitation, a common element of child human trafficking.
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 (CAFRA) (PDF, 24 pages - 158 KB). The Department fights human smuggling and trafficking through the issuance of CAFRA, which provides notice to property owners whose properties have been identified as being used to facilitate smuggling or harboring aliens; it is an important tool because many employers turn a blind eye to the facilitation of criminal activity on their properties.
The Mann Act of 1910. The Mann Act and its subsequent amendment resolutions makes it a felony to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, or coerce an individual to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution or attempts to do so. It is an effective tool used to prosecute human traffickers.