Rep. Loretta Sanchez statement on release of the 10th Annual Trafficking in Persons Report

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today issued the following statement regarding the Department of State’s release of its 10th annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which outlines the challenges we face in preventing and prosecuting human trafficking cases in the U.S. and around the world:

“Each year, approximately 800,000 individuals are trafficked across U.S. and international borders. These victims, most of whom are women, are routinely sold into domestic servitude, exploited for commercial sex, or forced into labor at factories and sweatshops. These abuses are a serious violation of fundamental human rights and must be stopped.”

“The Trafficking in Persons Report is an invaluable asset for the U.S. and other countries that are committed to fighting human trafficking. For the first time, the Report includes the United States in its rankings. I support the U.S.’s inclusion in the new system because every country, including our own, shares a joint responsibility to combat modern-day slavery. Unless we take a realistic look at the U.S.’s role in the global human trafficking crisis, we won’t know what steps to take to effectively combat the problem.”

“This year’s Report identifies several worrisome trends, particularly when it comes to Vietnam. For the first time since 2004, Vietnam has been downgraded from ‘Tier 2’ to ‘Tier 2 Watch List’ because it has not been effective in identifying or prosecuting human traffickers and protecting trafficking victims. As a country with a long history of human rights abuses, Vietnam must implement aggressive anti-trafficking policies that reflect the value of the country’s men, women, and children. The need for action in Vietnam has never been greater.”

The full text of the Trafficking in Persons Report can be found at somalia.usvpp.gov/

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47thCongressional District, which includesthe cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. Sheserves as Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.