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1999 - Executive Order

Executive Order 13126 of June 12, 1999—Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor26

The order requires the U.S. Department of Labor to maintain a list of products that have been produced by forced or indentured child labor as well as their countries of origin. Federal contractors that supply products on the list must prove they have made a good faith effort to determine if the products were produced under forced or indentured child labor.

2011 - Executive Order

Executive Order 13581 of July 25, 2011—Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations27

The order authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to pursue sanctions against the following named transnational criminal organizations:

  1. The Brothers’ Circle
  2. Camorra
  3. Yakuza
  4. Los Zetas

2012 - Executive Order

Executive Order 13627 of September 25, 2012—Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts28

The order requires federal agencies to ensure that the federal procurement of goods and services does not directly or indirectly involve human trafficking.

On January 29, 2015, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council promulgated final regulations.29 On December 20, 2018, the FAR Council issued a final rule30 amending the 2015 FAR to clarify the agency’s prohibition on assessing employees with recruitment fees in connection with federal contracts.

2017 - Executive Orders

Executive Order 13773 of February 9, 2017—Enforcing Federal Law With Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking31

The order prioritizes investigating and prosecuting transnational criminal organizations, including for human trafficking through information sharing, collaboration, and the increased use of the interagency Threat Mitigation Working Group (TMWG). The TMWG identifies transnational organized crime networks that pose a national security risk and coordinates governmental response.

2019 - Executive Order

Executive Order 13898 of November 26, 2019—Establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives34

The order forms the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, which aims to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the legitimate concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities regarding missing and murdered people—including those who have been trafficked. The task force includes members from the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services. Justice, and Interior.

2020 - Executive Orders

Executive Order 13903 of January 31, 2020—Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States35

The order states that the executive branch will “prioritize its resources to vigorously prosecute offenders, to assist victims, and to provide prevention education to combat human trafficking and online sexual exploitation of children.” EO 13903 also provides a number of steps to combat trafficking, including a full-time position at the Domestic Policy Council to work on trafficking issues; an online list of the federal government’s trafficking resources; improved methodologies for estimating the prevalence of trafficking; and increased coordination between the government and law enforcement to prevent, detect, and prosecute this heinous crime.

Executive Order 13923 of May 15, 2020Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Under Section 741 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act of 202036 

The order reiterates that Section 741 of the USMCA Implementation Act made the task force the central hub for the U.S. government’s enforcement prohibiting imports made through forced labor. The order states that the task force will be chaired by the secretary of Homeland Security and will include representatives from the U.S. departments of Justice, Labor, State, and Treasury, as well as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. According to the order, the task force will attempt to make all decisions by consensus but will decide matters by majority vote when there is disagreement. 

2021 - Executive Order

Executive Order 14060 of December 15, 2021—Establishing the United States Council of Transnational Organized Crime37

The order asserts that transnational organized crime networks contribute to a variety of activities that harm the national interests of the U.S. These activities include undermining the rule of law and democracy, supporting corruption, advancing climate change, and harming human health.

The order establishes the U.S. Council on Transnational Organized Crime (USTOC), which is tasked with monitoring the whole-of-government counter-TOC efforts. Members of the USTOC are the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury; the attorney general; and the director of national intelligence. The order also directs executive departments and agencies to enhance efforts to counter transnational organized crime.

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