This is the second order focused on Malaysian palm oil in recent months. Earlier this year, CBP blocked imports of palm oil from FGV Holdings Berhad, a Malaysian-based agricultural company after a yearlong investigation.
The latest investigation found evidence of debt bondage, poor living and work conditions, lack of sanitation, manipulated wages and excessive overtime at Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Hinojosa told CNN.
The US has had a prohibition on the import of goods produced using forced labor since the early 1930s, but enforcement was extremely sparse. A 2016 change in the law that ended exceptions, along with increased awareness and a push by then-CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske spurred the agency to use its authorities more aggressively, agency officials previously told CNN.
During the Trump administration, the agency has ramped up its efforts in this area.
"One thing that we sometimes get asked is, 'Is this going to go away with the change of administration?', and I would have to say that this is an issue that is cross cutting and is very bipartisan," said Hinojosa.
Although CBP has not yet had a deep-dive with the Biden transition team on the forced-labor issues, Hinojosa predicted this would remain a priority for the agency.
"You'll be seeing a lot more of this in the coming months and years," she said.
La administración de Trump tomando medidas ecologicas por causas de justicia social... vivir para creer.
