IJM Calls for Timely Review of Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Violence Grants Following State Department Funding Pause
Human Trafficking
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 27, 2025 – International Justice Mission (IJM) received notice on Friday, Jan. 24, from our longtime partners, the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office), instructing us to pause “all programmatic and financial activities” conducted under our existing TIP Office grants in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. On Saturday, Jan. 25, we received a similar notice from the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) with guidance to “stop all work” on an INL-funded IJM project in Latin America.
This pause and the review of all U.S. foreign assistance comes at the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following President Trump’s recent Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.
Human trafficking and violence are more than urgent moral issues: They are threats to U.S. national security and economic growth. Combating human trafficking advances U.S. economic and security interests by disrupting an illicit industry worth an estimated $236 billion while boosting GDP with improved productivity and human capital. Left unchecked, human trafficking strengthens transnational criminal organizations, weakens the rule of law, fuels corruption, and disrupts global supply chains.
Combating trafficking and violence also contributes to U.S. regional security goals. For example:
- Curbing imports of foreign goods made with forced labor ensures that American-made goods are not undercut in the U.S. marketplace.
- Strengthening public justice systems in Latin America to respond to and prevent violence against women and children effectively is one element of a larger strategy to deter migration.
- Blocking transnational organized crime groups who use forced criminality to scam Americans out of billions of dollars serves our national security and economic interests.
“We are hopeful that the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance conducts an expedited review of TIP Office and INL programs designed to combat trafficking and violence,” said James Foster, IJM's Director of U.S. Government Affairs. “We are confident that U.S. foreign assistance programs focused on strengthening public justice systems to combat human trafficking and violence are strategic investments that make America safer, stronger and more prosperous.”
IJM looks forward to a timely review and approval of bipartisan foreign assistance programs that combat human trafficking and strengthen the rule of law. The reinstatement of these funds will enable prosecutions of traffickers and violent criminals, support the safety and security of survivors who have bravely stepped forward to testify in these cases, and enable IJM to provide essential services to these courageous victims.
IJM will continue to seek guidance from the Trump administration and U.S. Congress. To ensure our work fully continues during this government funding pause, consider making a one-time gift or ongoing pledge as an IJM Freedom Partner. You can also join us in advocating to President Trump and the 119th Congress to prioritize programs to end trafficking and violence.
About International Justice Mission
International Justice Mission partners with local authorities in 33 program offices in 19 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power. IJM’s mission is to protect people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Learn more at: IJM.org.