House Committee Urges DHS Briefing on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has requested a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). This Act combats the import of Chinese products created through forced labor.

The UFLPA, established in 2021, requires DHS’ Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to formulate a strategy against importing goods made with forced labor from China. Human rights organizations have drawn attention to the alleged human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region affecting the Uyghur ethnic minority.

The Uyghurs face political persecution in Xinjiang. They endure cultural assimilation and forced labor at low or no wages for extended hours. – Rep. Ro Khanna

Representative Ro Khanna, member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition, emphasizes that the UFLPA’s enforcement pertains to both moral and economic security issues for the United States. He highlights that forced labor is not only a human rights violation but also harms U.S. manufacturers by unfairly lowering Chinese product costs.

The bipartisan letter addressed to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin demands clarification on DHS and Customs and Border Protection’s updates to the UFLPA Entity List. The agency recently added 43 companies to the list, leading Khanna to offer restrained approval, noting that proactive committee work might have spurred action.

The committee expressed concerns that products from companies included on the list could still enter the United States. The letter cites a New York Times report indicating that cotton in popular ‘Labubu’ dolls involves forced labor.

Khanna describes how China evades import restrictions by outsourcing production to neighboring countries. He stresses the bipartisan nature of the issue, with both parties agreeing on maintaining fair trade practices that exclude slave labor.

In closing, Khanna calls for recognizing products originating from forced labor and preventing their entry into U.S. markets. He argues that fair wages and equitable trade practices must define the relationship with China.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the relevant authorities and companies for additional comments.