USCCB official calls bill against human trafficking good, but lacking

Published: 2006-01-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A bill signed by President George W. Bush Jan. 10 to combat human trafficking was a step in the right direction, but not enough to help children, according to a representative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "In general, I think the revisions are solid and necessary and the allocation of money is good," said Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty of the bishops' Migration and Refugee Services. Sister Dougherty, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and manager for outreach, education and technical assistance in MRS' human trafficking program, said the final version of the bill "didn't go far enough for us as far as children are concerned." She said the legislation, called the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, fails to empower Department of Health and Human Services officials to make decisions about the eligibility of children (to receive refugee benefits) "without having to wait an unreasonable amount of time." She also wanted to see more steps taken to make sure that immediate guardians are appointed to children who have been trafficking victims.

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