Attorney Warns Trafficking Law Could Threaten Voluntary Religious Programs

Attorney John Lauro has expressed concerns that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act is being used to target religious organizations that rely on voluntary labor. Speaking on the program "American Thought Leaders," Lauro argued that a 2008 amendment to the law, which expanded the definition of "serious harm" to include psychological and nonphysical impacts, creates a legal vulnerability for faith-based groups. He contends that this provision could allow individuals to file lawsuits years after participating in voluntary programs, potentially infringing upon First Amendment protections.

Lauro highlighted a 2021 lawsuit against the Salvation Army as a primary example of this trend. In that case, former participants in a residential rehabilitation program alleged they were subjected to forced labor because they were required to work in exchange for room and board. The Salvation Army maintained that the work was part of a voluntary "tough love" rehabilitation model. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois dismissed the claims, a decision that was subsequently upheld by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2024.