At the end of January, President Trump signed an executive order to combat human trafficking and child exploitation. A two-hour meeting was held to hear from sex trafficked victims and to sign the order.
According to this article in the New York Times, however, President Trump seemed to be intent on the money only going to US citizens that were trafficked, and held up the funding when he realized the funds might be used for those coming across the southern border.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to trafficking that happens at home,” Ms. Trump said at the event. “We cannot tolerate the exploitation of our own citizens.”
“Many of the policies promoted and adopted under this administration have not been beneficial and have been quite harmful to trafficking survivors,” Ms. Bruggeman ( executive director of Freedom Network USA ) said, noting that a $13.5 million grant to provide housing to trafficking victims was held up without explanation after an initial funding announcement said the money could support noncitizens.
NYTimes
Unfortunately, in this highly charged political atmosphere, many invited guests refused to come – stressing that it was not really a two-way discussion, but rather it was strictly a “photo op.”
Time will tell, but let’s hope this funding hold-up doesn’t turn into another Ukraine funding debacle.
Let the funds go, Mr. President! They are needed by human beings – no matter what color their skin.
