Illegal Immigration and Commercial Sex: The New Slave Trade

During the 1990s illegal immigration has become a global problem of immense proportions. South Africa, for example, is host to between 1 and 2 million illegal immigrants, while it is believed that over 100,000 Chinese citizens illegally enter the United States every year. With migration flows from the developing world to the developed, many countries have become both trans-shipment centres and unwilling hosts for migrants en route to their final destinations. During their travel alien immigrants are easily victimized and even when they arrive, many are forced into a life of hardship and crime. This volume studies the role of criminal organizations in human commodity trafficking, examining the problem from a global vantage point and from a variety of regional perspectives. It also assesses the adequacy of existing policy responses and identifies additional measures that need to be taken.

Phil Williams is Director of the Ridgway Center for International Security Studies and Professor of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.