POLISCOPE
Back to feed
FEDERALhearing transcript

Funding Requests for Anti-Trafficking and Forced Labor Enforcement (FY2023)

Original title: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023

January 1, 2023

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

The Frame

What this does

This request outlines specific funding priorities for federal agencies that enforce trade laws and investigate human trafficking, which directly impacts the resources available for victim support services and the inspection of imported goods for forced labor violations.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Customs and Border Protection

The agency would receive $20 million in additional funding to increase enforcement of forced labor import prohibitions.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The agency would receive $87.9 million in total funding for investigations, victim services, and personnel.

Human trafficking victims

The proposed funding aims to increase the availability of specialized victim witness coordinators and support services.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) has submitted a formal request to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for $107.9 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2023. These funds are intended to bolster Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts to combat human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and the importation of goods produced by forced labor.

Key Facts

  • ATEST requests $20,000,000 for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enforce Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 regarding forced labor imports.
  • ATEST requests $54,400,000 for ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for investigations, training, and victim services.
  • Within the $54.4 million ICE request, $15,700,000 is designated for forced labor investigations.
  • Within the $54.4 million ICE request, $20,000,000 is designated for Victim Witness Coordinators.
  • ATEST requests $33,500,000 for the ICE Office of Victims Assistance.
  • The $20 million for Victim Witness Coordinators is intended to hire 5 additional specialized coordinators.
  • CBP issued 36 Withhold Release Orders (WRO) since 2015, including 7 WROs and 2 Findings in fiscal year 2021.
  • CBP estimated that 2021 enforcement actions prevented nearly $500 million in forced-labor goods from entering the U.S.
  • ICE HSI reported 2,360 human trafficking arrests in fiscal year 2021, a 35% increase from 2020.
  • The request cites the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act as a new mandate requiring additional CBP resources.

Why It Matters

This request outlines specific funding priorities for federal agencies that enforce trade laws and investigate human trafficking, which directly impacts the resources available for victim support services and the inspection of imported goods for forced labor violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total amount of funding requested by ATEST?
The total requested amount across the specified programs is $107.9 million.
What will the requested funds for Victim Witness Coordinators be used for?
The funds are intended to hire 5 additional specialized coordinators and provide training to all victim witness personnel on victim services and rights.
Why does CBP need more funding according to the report?
The report states that CBP needs resources to hire 20 new auditors to enforce forced-labor import restrictions and to meet new mandates like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

News Coverage

Lobbying Activity

1607 STRATEGIES, LLC

on behalf of Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.

2023

HOMELAND SECURITYBUDGET/APPROPRIATIONSDEFENSE

Issues relating to procurement of secure doors.

1607 STRATEGIES, LLC

on behalf of Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.

2023

HOMELAND SECURITYBUDGET/APPROPRIATIONSDEFENSE

Issues relating to procurement of secure doors.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Increased Focus on Forced Labor Enforcement

The document highlights a significant shift toward using trade enforcement (Section 307) as a primary tool to combat human trafficking, evidenced by the closure of the 'consumptive demand' loophole and new mandates like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Connected Entities

organizationCustoms and Border ProtectionRequested $20 million for forced labor enforcement.Map →
organizationAlliance to End Slavery and TraffickingThe advocacy group submitting the appropriations request.Map →
organizationImmigration and Customs EnforcementRequested $54.4 million for investigations and $33.5 million for victim assistanMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

Share or embed this record

POLISCOPE publisher tools

Share or embed this record