WASHINGTON – The non-partisan, non-profit Partnership for Public Service selected the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency-wide Forced Labor Team finalist for the 2021 Service to America Medal (“Sammies”) in the Safety, Security and International Affairs category. The Sammies, sometimes referred to as the “Oscars” of government service, are a highly respected honor thanks to a rigorous selection process.

Led by Executive Director Ana B. Hinojosa and Deputy Executive Director Eric Choy, the CBP Forced Labor Team is tasked with investigating and preventing goods suspected of being manufactured with forced labor. United States.

“This appointment of Sammies is a testament to the incredible work Executive Director Hinojosa, Deputy Executive Director Choy and CBP experts do every day to protect vulnerable workers, American consumers and our economy,” said Troy Miller, senior official in charge. stain. from the CBP Commissioner. “The importation of goods made through forced labor is illegal, dangerous for American consumers, harmful to American industry, and contrary to our shared values ​​as a nation. In just a few short years, the CBP team made the United States the world leader in preventing the entry of these goods into the United States. “

According to International Labor Organization, 25 million people suffer from forced labor conditions around the world. These conditions include physical and sexual violence, debt bondage, withholding of wages and others. Human rights abuse. Goods made through forced labor hurt workers, undermine law-abiding US businesses, and subject unsuspecting US consumers to unethical purchases.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Hinojosa and Deputy Executive Director Choy, CBP has developed a robust program of civilian investigations to identify forced labor in U.S. supply chains and take appropriate enforcement action. When CBP has information reasonably indicating that certain goods are manufactured through forced labor, the agency will issue a detention order to prevent those goods from being imported into the United States. CBP can also impose monetary penalties for certain forced labor offenses and refer cases to Homeland security investigations for criminal investigation.

Since 2016, CBP has issued 29 restraining orders on goods, including cotton products from China’s Xinjiang region, palm oil from Malaysia, and seafood from various fishing vessels. During that same period, CBP prevented more than $ 100 million worth of products made by forced labor from entering the U.S. trade, including hair products made from human hair. Last year, CBP imposed the first monetary penalty for imports of forced labor in recent history and also issued the first finding of forced labor in a quarter of a century. In March, CBP drew an additional finding due to the use of forced labor in the production of disposable gloves. These are the only such coercive measures in the world.

“CBP’s anti-fraud efforts have not only kept goods made by forced labor from entering the United States, but have also convinced companies to clean up their supply chains and change their business practices to the better, ”said John Leonard, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the CBP Trade Office. “This means better working conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers, a more competitive global business environment and less risk for American consumers and businesses.”

CBP’s anti-fraud authorities are limited to U.S. supply chains, but that hasn’t stopped the agency from working with foreign governments to increase global awareness and strengthen global efforts to end forced labor. . Canada and Mexico have committed to working with the United States to address forced labor under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and CBP continues its discussions on the application of forced labor with like-minded partners in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

CBP maintains a proud tradition of vigilance, integrity and excellence in the public service. Since 2015, the Sammies have recognized CBP employees for the use pollen analysis to solve serious crimes; implementation of a facial comparison system secure and facilitate international travel; implementation of an electronic system one-stop-shop for imports and exports which have saved government and businesses billions of dollars; and reduce waiting times at the airport while ensuring the highest possible safety standards.

The Sammies are the first top awards program in the US government. Renamed Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in 2010 to commemorate the organization’s founder, the program has honored more than 500 outstanding federal employees since its inception in 2002. More information on the program and the 2021 finalists is available online.

Anyone can support CBP’s nomination for the Service to America Medal by visiting servicetoamericamedals.org. Every vote for the CBP team supports the effort to end modern slavery.

Click here to request an interview with Executive Director Hinojosa and / or Deputy Executive Director Choy.

Visit the CBP DVIDS page for list B of CBP anti-forced labor actions Photos of goods produced by forced labor and held by CBP are available here and here.

More information on CBP’s efforts to combat forced labor is available on CBP.gov or on Twitter @CBP and @CBPTradeGov.