In its efforts to help eliminate human trafficking worldwide, the United States government in 2008 spent about $100 million in programs to support victims and their families, said Mark P. Lagon, senior advisor to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

The money is used to fund programs and shelters within the U.S. borders and in other countries. The U.S. also provides training on law enforcement.

But human trafficking victims' advocates say the amount falls far short.

"We are talking about a $9 billion-industry worldwide, and others believe it could even double that amount," said Lisette Arsuaga, director of development and communications of Los Angeles-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST.) "It would be worth reviewing the amount provided to support victims, and to address the needs, such as more shelters."

During a recent interview with The Tidings and Vida Nueva newspapers, Lagon recognized the important role faith-based organizations have played in community education and care of human trafficking victims, most of them Asian and Latin American documented and undocumented immigrants.

Lagon visited California to raise public awareness around the issue that affects about 800,000 women, children, and men who are trafficked across national borders, according to government-sponsored research completed in 2006, and cited in the 2008 Human Trafficking in Persons Report, prepared by the office that Lagon oversees.

On his visit, Lagon met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, grassroots organizations and media representatives, and was a guest speaker at Saddleback Church in Orange County.

California is one of the main destinations for human trafficking, due to its extensive border, ethnic diversity, large immigrant population, and broad variety of industries. About 80 percent of the victims are women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors, most of them trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation, according to the 2008 report.

The document defines human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, as sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

In the world, "there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time; other estimates range from 4 million to 27 million," according to estimates of the United Nations' International Labor Organization, cited in the annual report.

Lagon said that within the U.S. borders the government has improved its efforts to protect victims. Through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act the government prohibits and punishes traffic offenders, and promotes the prevention of trafficking acts.

Under the act, which became law in October 2000, immigrant victims of trafficking over the age of 18 are eligible for a T-Visa, a temporary non-immigrant status for those who cooperate with the law enforcement in the investigation of trafficking. After three years, the person can apply for a permanent resident status.

Since 2001, the U.S. government has granted 1,974 T-visas to victims and their immediate family members, according to the 2008 Attorney General's Report to Congress and Assessment of the U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Although other countries have advanced in their efforts to eliminate human trafficking, Lagon said there is more to be done outside the U.S. borders and within the U.S. territory.

Some countries are passing laws, "but they are more interested in the wedding ceremony and not taking care of the marriage," Lagon said. "If we push other countries, this should help ourselves look in the mirror and be willing to give ourselves a grade as well."

Through funding and support of law enforcement, the U.S. government helps other countries increase public awareness of this criminal conduct that also affects men, contrary to what the general public believes.

"In Latin America, people think the only affected are women and children, but men are also trafficked for labor. There is a need for more shelters for men," Lagon said.

CAST's Arsuaga agreed. In California, 89 percent of the victims are women and the other 11 percent are men, she said. "People need to be aware of this. Many gardeners are victims, as well as housekeepers."

Lagon emphasized the need of carefully reviewing each case of male migrant workers who are subject to deportation. "Some of them could be victims of human trafficking," he said.

The official urged the community to be aware of human trafficking signs in their neighborhoods. Those signs include: people who never leave the house or the workplace; people who do not have contact with relatives and/or friends; people who do not have travel documents; and those whose family members are constantly threatened.

CAST's 2007-2008 caseload report shows that 49 percent of the victims they supported were Latinos, 24 percent from Mexico, and 16 percent from Guatemala. Other nationalities include Asians (15 percent from South Korea), Eastern Europeans, Africans and Pacific Islanders.

To see the complete 2008 human trafficking report and the 2008 Attorney General's report, go to www.state.gov/g/tip. To report suspected trafficked victims, call the 24/7 toll free hotline 1-888-373-7888.