Whereas, The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nations
oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 24, 1929; and
 
Whereas, throughout its history LULAC has committed itself to the principles that
Latino have equal access to the opportunities in employment, education, housing, and
health care; and
 
Whereas, the human trafficking of women, especially Latina women and girls,
happens in the United States and all over the world yet remains hidden from public view; and
 
Whereas, many Latina women and girls who are offered the opportunity of 'work' in
other countries, find themselves in a world of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, and economic deprivation; and
 
Whereas, due to the covert nature of human trafficking of Latina women and girls and
the involvement of criminal gangs, those who are trafficked are extremely vulnerable to violence and most human rights abuse and remain hidden; and
 
Whereas, many of those Latina women and girls trafficked do not report their plight
for fear of reprisals. Others are detained and prosecuted for unlicensed prostitution or
illegal entry and deported, only to be trafficked yet again; and
 
Whereas, trafficked Latina women and girls are subject and victims to physical,
psychological and sexual abuse; and
 
Whereas, trafficked Latina women and girls are subject to deprivation of liberty; and
 
Whereas, trafficked Latina women and girls are subject to denial of freedom of
movement; and
 
Whereas, trafficked Latina women and girls are subject to torture and ill-treatment;
and
 
Whereas, trafficked Latina women and girls are subject to in some cases the right to
life; and
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National League of United Latin American Citizens call for justice to stop the Human Trafficking, especially of Latina Women and Girls, by having the President of United States Government and the US Congress address this issue as major legislative priority and implement aggressive law enforcement action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state and local law enforcement agencies.

 
Approved this 18th day of July 2009.
Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President