New York Times journalist Hannah Dreier traveled to 20 states while doing an investigative report on child slavery aka forced labor of unaccompanied migrant children.

In her February series titled “Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S.” she got details of this tragic and growing problem. 

The worldwide economic downturn brought on by the pandemic may have caused a jump in numbers. And now tens of thousands of children are crossing into the United States without parents. In 2022, 130,000 unaccompanied minors arrived at the border. This is three times what it was five years ago.

The children are coming primarily from Central America. These youth can be found all over the country, often working factory jobs for some of the United States’ most recognizable brands.

Unaccompanied migrant children

Across the U.S. brands like Ben and Jerry’s, Cheetos and Fruit of the Loom have children working in their factories.  

According to the NYT, “ They run milking machines in Vermont and deliver meals in New York City. They harvest coffee and build lava rock walls around vacation homes in Hawaii. Girls as young as 13 wash hotel sheets in Virginia.”

Middle and high school teachers in English-language learner programs report that it’s now more common for their students to rush off for long shifts after their classes end.

Child Labor Regulations being loosened

It’s not just about unaccompanied minors these days. The bottom line of factories and businesses is being boosted by a universal disregard for child labor laws.

Since 2018, the number of children working illegally rose 69% according to the Department of Labor found in February. 

Over the previous fiscal year, 835 companies investigated by the department had employed more than 3,800 children in violation of the law.

Child labor laws are being tweaked to justify children working in sometimes dangerous professions.

As of March, bills weakening child labor laws have been introduced or passed in 10 states over the last two years, according to a study from the admittedly left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.

The state bills cut requirements for additional paperwork for child workers. And expand the hours during which minors are allowed to work.

In Arkansas, it’s easier to put children to work in factories now. And an Iowa law enacted in May allows 14 and 15-year-olds to work two extra hours each day that coincides with school. And raises the hour limit from four to six hours a