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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 20, 2026Miami-Dade

U.S. Customs and Border Protection faces inquiry over lifted import ban on Dominican sugar producer

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden is demanding records from U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the agency's decision to lift a 2022 import ban on sugar products from Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. The inquiry follows a new report from the Corporate Accountability Lab alleging that forced labor practices persist at the company's sugarcane fields.

trade policyforced laborhuman rightscustoms enforcementsugar industry
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Why It Matters

The investigation concerns the integrity of U.S. and whether political influence affected the decision to allow imports from a company previously sanctioned for alleged labor abuses.

Key Facts

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection imposed an import ban on Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. in 2022.
  • The 2022 ban was based on allegations of worker isolation, wage withholding, and abusive living conditions.
  • The import ban was lifted last year under the Trump administration.
  • The Corporate Accountability Lab published a report on Tuesday alleging that forced labor persists in Dominican sugarcane fields.
  • The Corporate Accountability Lab report is the result of over three years of investigations.
  • Senator Ron Wyden sent a formal letter to Customs and Border Protection on Thursday requesting administrative records and final recommendations regarding the ban reversal.
  • Senator Wyden alleges the agency bypassed standard trade enforcement processes.

Who's Mentioned

organizationCentral Romana Corporation, Ltd.“Dominican Republic-based sugar producer subject to a previous U.S. import ban.”organizationU.S. Customs and Border Protection“Federal agency responsible for trade enforcement and import bans.”personRon Wyden“U.S. Senator from Oregon requesting information on the ban reversal.”organizationCorporate Accountability Lab“Nonprofit organization that published a report on forced labor.”