Introduction
Human trafficking is defined as using force, fraud, or coercion to exploit people into labor or sex. Victims of human trafficking are often lured of incredible opportunities in the US and end up being abused psychologically and physically. The International Labour Organization estimates that between 14,500 to 17,500 people annually (ILO, 2020). The problem is of great consequence to the US government and its citizens, given that most of these illegal immigrants are undocumented. This paper evaluates the humanitarian, social, and economic impacts of human trafficking in the US alongside the associated pros and cons.
Objectives
Who are the victims
Human trafficking affects people of all genders and ages. ACLU (2019) documents that the mean age of trafficking victims is 20. While women and children are the most vulnerable, men undergo the most exploitation in labor and wages.
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Any Attempts to stem trafficking?
The President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) has undertaken a series of programs to address the human trafficking issue. In its 2020 annual report, the task force has supercharged the enactment of laws curbing child labor and sexual offenses against trafficked persons. The efforts include signing Executive Order 13903 by former President Donald Trump to reform and strengthen the human trafficking policy (US Department of State, 2020).
Pros
Economic impact
While this can be rationally contested, illegal labor contributes to between 6.5 and 11% of the local counties’ annual revenue (Sherman et al., 2019). They also contribute about USD 7 billion to social security.
Cheap labor
It can be argued that human trafficking has provided labor for ‘dirty’ jobs that locals disregard as being too low paying or ranking.
Cons
Promotes terrorism activity
Human trafficking is the backbone of organized crime. Trafficked individuals provide a conduit for terrorists to obtain entry or critical information within the US. In 2014, individuals gaining access into the US via human trafficking were responsible for USD 45 million in payments to the Islamic state due to information leaking, abductions ransom payments (Bigio, 2020).
A health risk
Trafficked women and children are at greater risk of contracting and spreading HIV/AIDs, among other sexually transmitted diseases. That significantly draws personal and governmental spending to health (IWPR, 2020). Sick individuals also reduce the population’s economic productivity.
Summary
Human trafficking poses a serious problem for the US. Given its proximity to security and economic stability, there is an urgent need for a more robust policy. The government also needs to promote awareness of the issue.
References
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “Human Trafficking: Modern Enslavement of Immigrant Women in The United States.” Retrieved https://www.aclu.org/other/human-trafficking-modern-enslavement-immigrant-women-united-states#
Bigio, J. (2010, January 31). “Human Trafficking Helps Terrorists Earn Money and Strategic Advantage.” Foreign Policy. Retrieved https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/31/human-trafficking-helps-terrorists-earn-money-and-strategic-advantage/
International Labour Organization. (2018, November). “Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.” Retrieved https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm
Sherman, A., Trisi, D., Stone, C., & Gonzales, S. (2019, August). “Immigrants Contribute Greatly to U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Rationale.” Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). “ The Economic Drivers and Consequences of Sex Trafficking in the United States.” (2020, February). Retrieved https://iwpr.org/iwpr-publications/briefing-paper/the-economic-drivers-and-consequences-of-sex-trafficking-in-the-united-states/
The US department of State. (October 2020). “2020 Report on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons.” Retrieved https://www.state.gov/2020-report-on-u-s-government-efforts-to-combat-trafficking-in-persons/
