Jose Alfaro, an advocate and local survivor of human trafficking, has resigned from his seat on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.
Alfaro told GBH News he is leaving in protest of the Trump administration and its policies against immigrants, equity and inclusion, and other vulnerable people. He posted an announcement of his decision on LinkedIn on Wednesday.
“This was a difficult decision, but it is a necessary response in protest to an administration that has turned its back on human trafficking survivors and the principles we are sworn to uphold,” he wrote in the post. “I refuse to be complicit in an agenda that moves us backward rather than forward.”
Alfaro was appointed to the council in 2024 during the Biden administration. He says he was being considered for a new appointment. The council, according to its website, “provides a formal platform for trafficking survivors to advise and make recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies.” Members are appointed by the president for terms of two years.
Nobody from the council could be reached for comment. Alfaro’s name is no longer on the list of members.
“Even if I were given an opportunity to be reappointed, I would have done the same thing and rejected the opportunity and resigned because I just don’t agree and align with anything that this current administration is doing,” he said.
Alfaro says there’s a few reasons he came to this decision, including actions by the Trump administration to erase LGBTQ victims from an annual human trafficking report.
He said members of the council were asked to sign a contract that they would not be participating or running any programs that were DEI related. He said they were confused and sought legal advice. “We were fearful,” he said. “We didn’t know if we should sign it. Should we not sign it? If we don’t sign it, are we going to get kicked off the council? Are we going to get sued eventually?
His resignation is part of a growing concern among anti-trafficking advocates that the Trump administration has weakened their ability to help victims. Julie Dahlstrom, an anti-trafficking advocate, told GBH News that by banning the use of diversity, equity and inclusion terminology, the loss of federal funding and the ramp-up of law enforcement, they ”don’t get a clear picture of what trafficking looks like and who is most vulnerable.“ She said she believes the council is failing to meet the needs of what she calls a ”critical population.“
Alfaro was a documented victim in a federal case against a convicted trafficker in Texas. He filed a civil suit and won a $1.43 million award for his suffering. He says as an Mexican-American, young and homeless 16-year old, he was vulnerable in more than one way.
He initially felt honored to join the council, but said he noticed a stark difference under the Trump administration.
“It’s not an honor when your own community has been targeted by this administration. And you can’t even speak to the issues that are impacting your community,’’ he said. “It just didn’t feel right for me anymore to continue.”
Alfaro said he is now worried that all of the work of anti-trafficking advocates will be “washed away and wasted.” He said the administration has removed reports and data, making it more difficult to see where crimes are happening and which communities are most targeted.
Although he is stepping down from his post, he said he’s not stopping his advocacy. He has been in contact with LGBTQ organizations, drop-in centers, homeless youth shelters, and working on policy work that involves youth homelessness.
“I will be the first person to stand up, especially for marginalized communities and my own community, who is being impacted and targeted by this administration,’’ he said. “I won’t be persuaded by fear to not stand up and not speak out.”
