SJI’s anti-trafficking work is grounded in public health and anti-carceral approaches. We focus on prevention, the conditions that increase vulnerability, community-based support, and responses that promote safety without relying on punishment.#PublicHealthApproach

Record-breaking heat waves this summer have created dangerous climate conditions for natural disaster risk-- as well as trafficking vulnerability. Read about our Climate Justice policy priority and how SJI hopes to ensure worker protections at disaster sites through AB 2101 https://bit.ly/45Bi4aM

July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and UNODC has named this year's campaign-Trapped behind the scam. People forced to commit these crimes should be recognized as trafficking victims and connected to safety, services, and legal support. Read more at www.endht.org

In October 2025, California enacted AB 1362, the first law of its kind to help prevent trafficking of H-2A farmworkers. Implementation begins in July 2027. Read our recommendations for the Labor Commissioner and DIR. www.lls.edu/sunitajain/ab-1362

Under the Trump Administration Trafficking Survivors are being denied access to necessary benefits and protections. In a data release from CAST, T visa processing times have increased from 19 months in January 2025, to 31.5 months now. Read the full article https://bit.ly/4wdVSPV.

Did you know CA will have greater protections for H-2A workers than any other state starting July 2027? This is because of AB 1362, legislation that extends the Foreign Labor Recruiter Program to H-2A visa holders. Read the Op Ed in AJC by Alessandra Stevens & Julia Solórzano https://bit.ly/4gNyLXy

The games are over, but key questions remain. We identified who could be impacted and called for clear protections, concrete prevention, needed funding, evaluation, and real transparency. Not all concerns were addressed. #WorldCup2026 #LA28 #HumanRights

Thank you to CAST Los Angeles for helping shift the conversation around human trafficking and major sporting events. Instead of repeating myths about trafficking “spikes” during major events, we must focus on what actually helps prevent exploitation before it occurs. https://bit.ly/4fFeCBT

LAist’s Libby Rainey reports on concerns that Olympic preparations could lead to sweeps and displacement of unhoused people, creating even greater instability ahead of LA 2028. Read more: laist.com/news/politic...

Mass displacement of unhoused people and human rights concerns loom over LA Olympics planning

At a Tuesday L.A. City Council committee meeting, local officials and councilmembers questioned LA28's human rights plans, including for addressing homelessness.

laist.com

For months, SJI and partners pushed LA28 to commit real funding for human rights protections and services to help prevent exploitation and trafficking. They heard our voices. LA28 has promised a human rights grant program, but funding questions remain. www.thesportsexaminer.com/los-angeles-...

LOS ANGELES 2028: LA28 organizers promise human rights organization grants at City Council Games committee; no agreement on City payments - The Sports Examiner

LOS ANGELES 2028: LA28 organizers promise human rights organization grants at City Council Games committee; no agreement on City payments - The Sports Examiner - Your all-in-one coverage of Olympic-sp...

thesportsexaminer.com

Thank you to @lapublicpress.bsky.social for covering our call for real human rights protections at LA mega-events. As SJI Policy Associate Paloma Bustos shared, current plans lack the funding and accountability needed to prevent trafficking & exploitation. lapublicpress.org/2026/07/worl...

Amid World Cup, activists demand human, civil rights protections at LA megaevents

Real protections — from ICE raids and wage theft — are needed for the workers and fans for future sporting events in Los Angeles, like the Super Bowl and Olympics, advocates say.

lapublicpress.org

SJI joined JMA, LAANE, Public Citizen, CLUE & partners outside LASEC to call on FIFA, LASEC & the LA Host Committee to move beyond human rights commitments on paper. Megaevents must include funding & protections to prevent exploitation & trafficking. #WorldCup2026

This week, we joined the Re-Imagine LA Coalition to protect Measure J. Thank you to Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Lindsey P. Horvath for leading the motion, which passed. Investing in housing and community services can prevent trafficking and exploitation. #MeasureJ #ReImagineLA

At the June 30 LA City Council Ad Hoc Committee for the Olympics and Paralympics, Andrew Cummings urged LA28 to fund human rights protections as part of planning for the 2028 Games, not wait until later. #LA28 #HumanRights #HumanTrafficking

On June 30, LA28 committed to human rights grants at the LA City Council Ad Hoc Committee. This is progress, but the details still matter. Advocates are calling for real funding, transparency, and a full Human Rights Plan. www.lls.edu/academics/ex...

Join us July 9 at 10 AM at LASEC HQ as we call on FIFA, LASEC, the LA Host Committee, and corporate sponsors to protect the people behind the World Cup. We demand real human rights plans, worker and community protections, and sponsor accountability.

📣 Help us reach 100 signatures! Join organizations & lived-experience experts in urging the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) to strengthen human rights protections for future major sporting events in LA. Read & sign: www.lls.edu/sunitajain/preventing-trafficking-sporting-events

Join SJI's for a conversation on human rights, trafficking prevention, public messaging, and community-centered solutions. 📅 June 29, 2026 ⏰ 12:00 PM PT 🔗Event details and Zoom link: https://www.torched.la/torched-talks-with-anti-trafficking-advocates-stephanie-richard-and-paloma-bustos/

SJI joined partners, including the @reimaginela.bsky.social and @aclusocal.bsky.social, t the LA County budget hearing to advocate for prevention, healing, and community-based services, and for investments that move resources away from incarceration and toward community care. #CareFirst #LACounty

KFI AM 640 invited Prof. Stephanie Richard, Director of the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative, to discuss human trafficking and major sporting events. Listen as she shares what the evidence shows about labor trafficking, prevention, and human rights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M1x...

Do Major Sporting Events Increase Human Trafficking?

YouTube video by SJI Anti-Trafficking Initiative

youtube.com

California has taken an important step by including funding for HTVAP in the state budget. Now we need Gavin Newsom to include it in the final June Budget Act. HTVAP is California’s only dedicated funding stream for trafficking survivors. Contact Governors Newsom today! www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

LLS students: Applications are open for SJI's Anti-Trafficking Law & Policy Practicum. Learn how policy is made, engage with policymakers, and build advocacy skills while advancing survivor-led change. Apply: Link www.lls.edu/sunitajain/advocates-in-action

The FIFA World Cup begins this week! Major sporting events can increase risks of labor exploitation and labor trafficking. Download and share our free outreach materials to help raise awareness and protect workers during the games. www.lls.edu/sunitajain/preventing-trafficking-sporting-events

How stories are told matters. This CJR article examines ethical responsibilities in reporting on trafficking after concerns were raised about a NYT article on Figueroa St. featuring harmful “rescue” narratives. #HumanTrafficking #MediaEthics www.cjr.org/feature/figu...

Figueroa Street and the ethical duty of care.

Looking back at a New York Times magazine story to examine what responsible coverage of sex trafficking looks like—and what it doesn’t.

cjr.org

Support AB 1245 (Stefani) to help prevent forced labor, labor trafficking, and exploitation in supply chains connected to public contracts. Support letters due June 1: www.lls.edu/sunitajain/ab-1245 #LaborTrafficking #HumanTraffickingPrevention

Today, we presented before the LA Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission on labor trafficking by forced criminality, where youth are coerced into committing crimes for the benefit of others and are too often criminalized instead of identified as victims. #HumanTrafficking

LA28 released a Human Rights Strategy for the 2028 Olympics, but did not attend the City’s Ad Hoc Committee hearing to discuss it publicly. Concerns were raised about the lack of concrete protections for workers and survivors. #LA28 #HumanRights #TraffickingPrevention

Funding delays are putting survivor services at risk. Shelters and crisis centers may be forced to cut staff, reduce services, or close. Call Congress: 202-224-3121 Or send an email: https://nnedv.quorum.us/campaign/162461/ #FundSurvivorServices #VictimServices #CongressActNow

Los Angeles will host matches beginning June 12. Human trafficking does not begin or end on game day. Prevention, worker protections, survivor informed responses, and community based support are critical before, during, and after the tournament. #FIFAWorldCup2026

LA28’s human rights plan includes no dedicated funding to prevent human trafficking ahead of the 2028 Olympics. “The plan repackages existing systems not equipped for the scale of the Olympics,” said Lesly Ayala of Loyola Law School’s SJI. Read more www.latimes.com/california/n...

Will L.A.'s 2028 Olympic Games protect human rights?

Your morning catch-up: LA28 Olympics has a human rights plan, L.A. mayor's race heats up and more big stories

latimes.com