Facts Regarding Human Trafficking in NA

Facts on Human Trafficking


Number of people trafficked worldwide: 600,000 to 800,000

Number of people trafficked within the United States: 14,500 to 17,5002

It should be noted that these statistics vary based upon the source, with some sources having
the number of individuals being trafficked in the millions.

Average enslavement: 2-5 years (some victims are enslaved for more than 20 years) 3

Common forms of human trafficking: Agriculture, domestic service, mail order brides,
prostitution, sexual abuse/exploitation of children, and sweatshops.4

Top cities for trafficking: According to the report Freedom Denied: Forced Labor in California
released in February of 2005, 80% of the documented human trafficking cases in California
occurred in San Diego, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.5

Routes for trafficking: The Trans Border Institute documents that many victims are trafficked
into Mexico from other countries and from within Mexico, into California; from California they are
either trafficked within the state or to other parts of the United States. Trafficking is more
prevalent on the West Coast of the United States than on the East Coast.

Victims’ County of Origin: While trafficking has been documented in almost every country,
the top three countries of origin of human trafficking victims are Thailand, Mexico and Russia.
There is evidence of reverse trafficking, with Americans being trafficked from the United States
into Mexico and abroad.6

Tactics used by traffickers: Withholding of legal documents, threats and acts of physical
harm to victim and victims’ family, rape, kidnapping, isolation and confinement, denial of medical
care, manipulation and psychological abuse.

Number of traffickers in 2004 who have been convicted by the Federal Government: 437

Other assistance for victims: Victims may be eligible for a T-visa, which allows them to
remain temporarily in the United States. After 3 years, the victim may be eligible for permanent
residence status if he/she meets the following conditions:

1) he/she is of good moral character,
2) he/she has complied with any reasonable request for assistance in the investigation during
the 3 year period, and
3) he/she will suffer extreme hardship if he/she is removed from United
States.8