Luis CdeBacaThe Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery nominated Luis CdeBaca for the annual ISU Alumni Merit Award for his outstanding humanitarian endeavors. We had a number of excellent letters of support for the nomination including a letter from the commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Roxanne Ryan.

The Network is proud to announce that we have been informed that Mr. CdeBaca was selected for this ISU award.

Luis has devoted his life to fighting slavery and human trafficking both in the USA and across the globe. He was born and raised on a cattle farm in central Iowa, was a student leader for 4H and is a graduate of Iowa State University.

Luis CdeBaca currently leads the Department of Justice Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART) and has worked under three presidential administrations to combat human trafficking and modern-day forms of slavery. For five years he served as Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the US State Department. Prior to that he was counsel to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where his portfolio included national security, intelligence, immigration, and civil rights.

Luis served as Chief Counsel of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit under the Bush Administration. During the Clinton Administration he was the Justice Department’s Involuntary Servitude and Slavery Coordinator, and in 2009 President Obama appointed him to direct the Office to Monitor and Control Trafficking in persons in the Department of State. He was instrumental in developing the United States victim-centered approach to combating modern slavery. He has investigated and prosecuted servitude cases in which victims were held for prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, farm labor, domestic service and factory work.

Now it’s Iowa’s turn to recognize Luis CdeBaca who has devoted his life to public service and his long-standing leadership in the effort to combat human trafficking and slavery which is second to none.

The public is invited to attend the ISU Alumni Merit award ceremony on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. October 27th 2017 at the ISU Scheman Center in Ames.

In January 2016, Luis donated his travel expenses and two days of consultation time to educate the Iowa NAHT and its allies on the global battle against human trafficking. He also gave three major addresses to a combined audience of just over 1000 Iowans. His topic was on the Front Lines of the US Fight Against Child Abuse, Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault.

Dr. George and Britney, a trafficking survivor present Luis CdeBaca with a plaque to thank him for spending two days in Iowa consulting with the Network Against Human Trafficking.

Dr. George and Britney, a trafficking survivor present Luis CdeBaca with a plaque to thank him for spending two days in Iowa consulting with the Network Against Human Trafficking.

Luis CdeBaca is once again donating his time to Iowa by agreeing to serve as the keynote speaker for the Freedom in Action conference on October 30th 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Ames Iowa. This is a free training and seats are still available. The training announcement and registration information may be seen on the flyer below. Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear Luis CdeBaca in his keynote address on October 30th.