US bishops’ conference lauds anti-trafficking legislation

December 24, 2008

Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Unite States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, praised the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which Congress passed on December 10 and President Bush signed yesterday. The US State Department estimates that there are 600,000 to 800,000 victims taken across borders annually and that between 14,500 and 17,500 of these victims are brought to the United States.

“President Bush has done much to elevate public awareness about human trafficking and should be thanked for his leadership,” said Bishop Wester. “It will be important, however, that the new Administration and new Congress remain vigilant and continue to work to end to this abominable practice.”

 

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Further information:

• Migration Committee Chairman Lauds Enactment of Anti-Trafficking Legislation (USCCB)
• Human Trafficking (USCCB)