Within the United States, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended, provides tools to combat human trafficking both worldwide and domestically. Additional laws include key mandates to further U.S. government efforts to prosecute traffickers, protect victims, and prevent the crime from occurring. Several Executive Orders have also been issued over the years to strengthen U.S. government efforts to combat human trafficking. Internationally, several conventions, in particular the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol), set out international standards for combating trafficking in persons.
Anti-Trafficking Legal Authorities and Mandates
U.S. Legal Authorities and Mandates on Human Trafficking
Trafficking Victims Protection Act and Amendments
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-427 (2019)
- Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-425 (2019)
- Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-392 (2018)
- Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-393 (2018)
- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Pub. L. No. 113-4 (2013)
- William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-457 (2008)
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-164 (2005)
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-193 (2003)
- Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-386 (2000)
- The Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s Crime of Forced Labor (18 U.S.C. § 1589)
International Law and Other Key Mandates
- United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol) (2000)
- International Conventions Relevant to Combating Trafficking in Persons
- Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-164 (2018)
- FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-254 (2018)
- SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-398 (2018)
- Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-125 (2018)
- Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, Pub. L. No. 115-99 (2018)
- No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-106 (2018)
- Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-267 (2018)
- Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-385 (2018)
- Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Pub. L. No. 115-44 (2017)
- International Megan’s Law, Pub. L. No. 114-119 (2016)
- FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, Pub. L. No. 114-190 (2016)
- Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-22 (2015)
- Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-95 (2015)
- Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, Pub. L. No. 113-183 (2014)
- National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, Pub. L. No. 112-239 (2013)
- Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act), Pub. L. No. 108-21 (2003)
- Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 – 31 U.S.C. § 5311-5330
- Section 307 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 – 19 U.S.C. §1307
- Crime Victims’ Rights Act –18 U.S.C. § 3771
- The Crime Victims’ Rights Act – 34 U.S.C. § 20141
- Victim Rights and Restitution Act – 34 U.S.C. § 20141
- Mandatory Victim Restitution Act – 18 U.S.C. § 3663A
- Alien victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons – 8 CFR § 214.11 •
- Alien victims of certain qualifying criminal activity – 8 CFR § 214.14
- Combating Trafficking in Persons – 48 CFR § 52.222-50
- Section 910 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) of 2015
- Section 741 of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA)
- 18 U.S.C. § 1589
- 18 U.S.C. § 1761
- 19 U.S.C. § 1595a(b)
- 19 U.S.C. § 1592
- 19 C.F.R. § 12.43
- Federal Acquisition Regulation, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FAR 52.222-50)
- Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act 22 U.S.C. §§2656
- The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-145)
- United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
- 19 U.S.C. §1619 (the Moiety Statute)
- 19 C.F.R. §161, Subpart B
Executive Orders and Presidential Directives
- Executive Order 13903 on Combating Human Trafficking & Online Child Exploitation in the United States (2020)
- Executive Order 13773 Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking (2017)
- Executive Order 13818 Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption (2017)
- Executive Order 13627 Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts (2012)
- Executive Order 13581 Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations (2011)
- Executive Order 13257 President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor & Combat Trafficking in Persons (2002)
- National Security Presidential Directive 22 on Combating Trafficking in Persons (2002)
- Executive Order 13126 Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor (1999)