How Federal Grant Funding Freeze and Other White House Policies are Fueling Human Trafficking

Activists rally together, holding signs and waving flags, to advocate for increased funding for critical programs, emphasizing that "Funding Saves Lives."

The Good, the Bad, and the WTF (Why the Fuss) on fast moving policy initiatives

The Good regarding current policy realities

1. YOU: Right now, it's you—the good people who care and want to do more. more. I firmly believe that the Good Guys outnumber the Bad Guys. I usually say that in reference to fighting the traffickers themselves. Now, that needs to be true when it comes to pushing back against cruel and hasty policies that are already having (un)intended consequences.

2. Activism: Good-ish news as a response to really BAD news: lawsuits are being filed to challenge the executive orders that impact the already marginalized. A Federal Judge halted the halt of federal grant funding for all nonprofits. But many organizations and agencies serving at-risk and human trafficking victims say that they are still awaiting much needed funds, forcing layoffs and limited access to critical services. So not that good after all…

3. ?

4. ?

5. Still thinking of other things…

The Bad, aka the magnitude of adverse impacts of current policy realities

1. Limited Access to Existing, Promised Resources: The White House is still finding ways to withhold funding and is sending ominous communications to expectant recipients. "I usually say that in reference to fighting the traffickers themselves. Now, that needs to be true when it comes to pushing back against cruel and hasty policies that are already having (un)intended consequences."

2. Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Populations: This action is impacting not only the dedicated anti-human trafficking organizations like the i5FN, but also those offering food and shelter resources for those at risk. Trafficking victims often fall into the life often because basic needs for food and shelter are not being met. Consequently, they get drawn into sex or labor trafficking as a means of survival or due to an inability to fight for themselves.

3. Denying Reality: The White House attempted and has, so far, succeeded in eradicating any mention of LGBTQ+ people in all government documents. This data matters in the work we do as statistics show this is a highly represented group in human trafficking and suffering. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has also removed any reference to this group of individuals and past articles posted on that site show up as Access Denied. As the hotline relies on federal funding, they are complying with government directives. 

4. Misrepresenting Human Trafficking: On the page on human trafficking at whitehouse.gov a search leads to posts and pages that only refer to immigration and the invasion by illegal immigrants to the US.  The conflation between human smuggling and human trafficking at this level is particularly unconscionable. It is an unveiled attempt to paint only immigrants as traffickers or victims of trafficking and this is simply not the case

5. Loosening of Child Labor Laws: Masquerading as initiatives hiding behind the guise of parental choice, states that have passed legislation allowing for minors as young as 14 to work unlimited hours and in dangerous conditions are putting the most vulnerable of children at risk. Perhaps in anticipation of an effective immigrant expulsion of those children and adults who are typically doing this work, these dangerous and unsavory jobs need to be filled by someone. It is not a stretch of the imagination to see that those children filling those roles will be from the families at greatest economic risk and vulnerability. 

   
   

The WTF (Why the Fuss?) Current Policy Realities FOR CLARITY, Human Trafficking, both sex and labor, are very real forms of slavery and exploitation. A vast majority of sex trafficking victims are US Nationals. Many perpetrators of labor trafficking in the US are US corporations

1. Decreased outreach and prevention efforts: Directly impacting the i5FN mission, funding cuts will limit community awareness campaigns and educational programs aimed at identifying potential victims and preventing recruitment by traffickers.

2. Reduced shelter capacity: Non-profit organizations that operate shelters for victims will struggle to provide safe housing due to a lack of funds for basic needs like food, clothing, and medical care.

3. Increased risk of re-trafficking: A core program of the i5FN is the Self-Designed Life curriculum aimed at reducing recidivism and increasing the independence of Survivors. Without adequate support systems, victims may be forced to return to exploitative situations due to limited options for safe housing and economic stability.

4. Challenges for law enforcement: Investigations and prosecutions against traffickers will be hampered by a lack of funding for victim support and witness protection programs, and non-profits that provide pro bono/affordable legal support for Victims and Survivors will be severely hampered, giving traffickers a free pass. 

5. Limited access to counseling and legal services: Essential support services like trauma-informed therapy and legal assistance to help victims navigate the legal system could be significantly reduced or eliminated.

   
   

Reflecting on the order’s broad implications for civil society, Akilah Watkins, president and CEO of Independent Sector, told Non Profit Quarterly: “[This] administration’s order to freeze federal grants threatens to undermine the essential health and safety of the communities nonprofits work tirelessly to support. 

Here, at the i-5 Freedom Network we will continue our work as long as we are able. We will fight for a civil society, one where everyone can live with freedom, dignity, and self-determination We refuse to do nothing while leaders at the highest levers of government send decades of work backwards.

And you? Are you in? Here is the Easy Button:

Give to the Fight