In collaboration with the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars (GAHTS), Asbury University professors Dr. Glenn Harden and Dr. Michelle Asbill have signed what GAHTS has called “an open letter to the Trump administration.” Harden is a member of GAHTS and had a role in the composition of the letter. Both Harden and Asbill have dedicated much of their research to human trafficking in their respective disciplines, Harden in both comparative politics and theology, and Asbill in social work and public policy.
The nonpartisan letter discusses GAHTS Scholars’ concerns with the effect of President Trump’s policy on anti-human trafficking efforts and “calls upon the Trump administration to reverse these harmful policies.”
In his portion of the GAHTS press release, Dr. Harden wrote, “In order to improve our work against human trafficking, we must be transparent and self-critical. I am grateful to those in government who are dedicated to ending trafficking, but I fear that some in the Trump administration are closing their ears to the well-earned expertise within the anti-trafficking community.”
Harden and Asbill join over 80 signatures of the letter, including GAHTS Scholars, non-GAHTS scholars and institutions that support anti-trafficking efforts.
Editor’s Note
As a news source, The Asbury Collegian is not advocating for the content of this letter. That said, we find it important to highlight this news event due to its connection to the Asbury community. The letter is included in the opinion section of this edition of The Collegian.
Photo courtesy of New York Times.
An Urgent Call to Address Harmful Federal Actions Undermining Anti-Trafficking Efforts
March 24, 2025
We, the undersigned members of the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars
(GAHTS), write this letter with urgency and grave concern regarding recent executive decisions
and policy shifts that have directly harmed human trafficking survivors, victims of exploitation,
and the broader anti-trafficking community. During your first term, you “prioritized fighting for the
voiceless and ending the scourge of human trafficking” but recent actions taken by your
administration have eroded critical services, dismantled research initiatives, and placed already
marginalized communities at heightened risk of harm. We call for the reinstatement of domestic and foreign aid to victims of violence, an immediate stop to mass deportations, and the re-establishment of support for research and aid to projects that serve minority groups.
Over the past two months, your administration has (1) defunded vital community and civil
society organizations, (2) disrupted and destabilized critical research efforts, (3) erased records
and essential research on marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities,
immigrants, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons, (4) expanded harmful
immigration policies including mass deportations which empowers traffickers and increases
distrust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, and (5) undermined government
anti-corruption efforts which are necessary for dismantling human trafficking networks.
In addition, the attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives—for example, by
forbidding the use of terms such as “advocacy,” “trauma,” and “victim” in research and grant
funding applications—not only undermines the essential work of service providers but also
actively obstructs efforts to build safer communities. The dismantling of these protective
frameworks weakens accountability mechanisms that allow the public to ensure their
government is working in their best interest.
The disruption of these fundamental resources and safeguards is not just an attack on
trafficking survivors; it is an assault on public safety, human rights, and the integrity of research
and service organizations that continue to work tirelessly to combat exploitation. Though the
defense of these policy changes is fiscal responsibility, the high costs of not deterring human
trafficking, of not supporting victims of violence, and deporting and incarcerating members of the
workforce and community, will create larger financial burdens in the immediate and longer
future. These actions threaten decades of progress made towards protecting marginalized
populations and ensuring justice for survivors.
We call for immediate corrective action:
- Restore Federal Funding for Victim Service Providers: Reinstate and expand
financial support for civil society organizations and community-led initiatives that provide
direct services to survivors of violence, both in the United States and abroad. - Reinstate and Protect Research Initiatives: Ensure continued federal funding and
policy backing for research that examines the intersection of trafficking, structural
violence, and marginalized communities. - Cease Efforts to Erase Critical Data: Reinstate and uphold records that document the
disproportionate impact of trafficking and violence on marginalized populations.
Transparency and accountability in research are essential to informed policymaking. - Halt Harmful Immigration Policies: Immediately stop mass deportations that place
migrant workers and immigrant communities at greater risk of trafficking and exploitation.
Implement policies that prioritize survivor protection over punitive immigration
enforcement. - Restore anti-corruption government initiatives: Resume enforcement operations
under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Corporate Transparency Act. Ensure that
government enforcement capacity is appropriately resourced. Support and exemplify
strong global anti-corruption standards. - Reaffirm Commitments to Universal Human Rights: Rescind language restrictions on
funding for programs that empower advocacy efforts and community-based solutions.
Reinstate federal policies that recognize the lived realities of trafficking survivors and
other vulnerable populations.
Working over decades, the United States has built a respected reputation as a leader in the
global fight against human trafficking, a reputation that is now threatened by actions taken in the
last two months. It is vital that policy makers continue to incorporate the expertise of survivors
and researchers. We urge your administration to recognize the real and lasting consequences
of these actions on the lives of vulnerable Americans and global citizens and to take immediate
steps to reverse course.
GAHTS stands in unwavering solidarity with victims, survivors, community organizations, and
advocacy networks that have been directly impacted by these harmful policy shifts. If called on,
our network remains ready to assist the administration in policy development that prioritizes
survivor support, research-based solutions, and community resilience.
Sincerely,
The Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars (GAHTS)
gahtscholars@gmail.com
https://www.gahts.com/
