Senator: Slavery continues in U.S. despite enforcement, officials tell panel

Despite stricter enforcement and greater protection for victims, human traffickers continue to smuggle in thousands of foreigners from poor countries to work as slaves in brothels, homes, factories and farm fields in the United States, witnesses told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday. "Americans may be particularly alarmed to learn that at least 15,000 human beings are trafficked into lives of slavery in the United States each year," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who chaired the hearing. [more]