To US Lawmakers,

I am deeply concerned about the exploitation of vulnerable children through orphanage trafficking. Every year, countless children are trafficked into orphanages not because they are orphans, but because they are used to attract donations and volunteers from well-meaning people around the world—including from the United States.

This is modern slavery, and it is happening because there is demand—demand from volunteers and donors who genuinely want to help, but whose good intentions are being manipulated.

The U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is a powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking, but it does not currently recognize orphanage trafficking as a distinct form of exploitation. This gap allows traffickers to continue profiting from this cruel practice without fear of retribution.

This amendment wouldn’t just close legal loopholes; it would also transform industry standards, compelling voluntourism agencies and nonprofits to act responsibly and transparently. 

By formally recognizing orphanage trafficking as a form of modern slavery, the US would take a leading role in ending orphanage trafficking and protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.