Legislation - USA - Human Trafficking: SOC 404/472/473/6710/6750 - Subject/Course Guides at Wilmington University Library

U.S. Laws & Legislation on Trafficking in Persons

The following Acts enable the United States to combat human trafficking both domestically and internationally. The Acts also established the Government Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (GTIP) and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to assist with the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts.

US Laws Regarding Trafficking in Persons (to 2017)
Archived US government documents.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386)
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (H.R. 2620)
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 972)
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 7311)
Tarrif Act of 1930
Prohibits importing goods made with forced or indentured labor
The Mann Act: US Code Chapter 117
RICO: US Code Chapter 96
Federal human trafficking offenses are included as racketeering offenses. Updated 1970, amended 1984.
Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools To End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (PROTECT Act)
U.S. Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003
Customs and Facilitations and Trade Enforcement Act of 2012
National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 4310)
Seeks limit human trafficking associated with government contractors.
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Title XII of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013)

U.S. Human Trafficking Case Law

There have been a number of federal court cases involving the issue of human trafficking: mostly with the district and circuit courts.

Ditullio v. Boehm, 662 F.3d 1091 (9th Cir. 2011),
The plaintiff, who alleged she was one of the victims in a human trafficking conspiracy, brought action against perpetrator, who had pled guilty to conspiracy to engage in human trafficking, seeking compensatory and punitive damages under the TVPA. The Ninth Circuit, as a matter of first impression, held that punitive damages are available under TVPA, but TVPA could not be applied retroactively to create liability for conduct that occurred before 12/19/2003.
U.S. v. Afolabi, 508 F. App'x 111 (3d Cir. 2013),
The defendant was previously convicted in the district court on 22 counts relating to her participation in visa fraud and human trafficking and appealed the submission of evidence (intimidating victims) at the district court level. The Third Circuit affirmed.
United States v. Calimlim, 538 F.3d 706 (7th Cir. 2008)
The defendants were previously convicted of obtaining and conspiring to obtain forced labor and harboring and conspiring to harbor alien for private financial gain. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the defendants’ convictions but vacated their sentences and remanded the case for resentencing.