The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a notice requesting public comments on the development of the long-range National Rail Plan (NRP) through an open docket.
Forced Labor
CBP is the primary U.S. agency tasked with combating forced labor in international trade. It is the only agency with legal authority to take enforcement action and prevent entry into domestic commerce of goods produced with forced labor. CBP combats forced labor by issuing Withhold Release Orders (WROs) and Findings, and enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), and Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Goods subject to WROs and Findings, UFLPA, and CAATSA status cannot be entered at any ports of the U.S.
One of the five strategic goals of the Fiscal Year 2011 Department of Labor budget request is to "foster fair working conditions in the global marketplace." In support of this goal, the FY 2011 budget request includes increased funding for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).
As part of its fiscal year 2011 budget justification document, the Department of Homeland Security listed numerous FY 2011 goals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Highlights of those goals for ICE's Offices of Domestic and International Investigations include:
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a notice announcing that it will hold a public meeting of the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products1 on March 29, 2010.
The Labor Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has issued a notice seeking information on child labor and forced labor in foreign countries as part of its preparation to meet various reporting requirements.
Representatives from the U.S. and Jordan convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement on December 15, 2009. At the Joint Committee meeting, officials discussed economic conditions in both countries, reviewed advances in bilateral trade and investment since the FTA entered into force, and discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in areas including: general economic cooperation, investment, agriculture, innovation, IPR protection and enforcement, customs issues, environmental and labor issues, and capacity building. (Press release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/ustr-and-jordan-hold-fta-joint-committee-meeting)
CBP has posted information on the legal requirements regarding convict, forced, or indentured labor product importations. 19 USC 1307 prohibits the importation of goods produced by convict, forced or indentured labor. When information available reasonably, but not conclusively, indicates that merchandise within the purview of this provision is being imported, the Commissioner of Customs issues detention orders, pursuant to 19 CFR 12.42(e). (Notice, dated 12/10/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/convict_importations.xml)
On October 28, 2009, the President signed into law H.R. 2892, the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, etc (Public Law 111-083).
On October 20, 2009, the Senate agreed to (passed) the conference report for H.R. 2892, the fiscal year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, etc.
On October 15, 2009, the House agreed to the conference report for H.R. 2892, the fiscal year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, etc.