The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a ban on imports from three Chinese companies, citing their use of Uyghur forced labor.
The companies blacklisted on Tuesday are a seafood processor, a shoe maker, and a manufacturer of aluminum and carbon graphite. This action, taken under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection to block future imports from these companies on the presumption they used forced labor.
“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in U.S. supply chains and will enforce our laws across all industries and sectors,” stated Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The companies added to the list are Shandong Meijia Group, Dongguan Oasis Shoes, and Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity. This brings the total number of companies on the UFLPA entity list to 68. DHS officials plan to expand this list further in the coming months. In May, the Biden administration added 26 textile companies linked to forced labor.
Shandong Meijia, Dongguan Oasis Shoes, and Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
UFLPA was enacted by Congress due to concerns over China’s use of forced labor involving Uyghurs and other minority groups. China has denied these allegations, calling the scrutiny on Uyghur region interference in its internal affairs.
Since the law’s enforcement began in June 2022, nearly 8,500 shipments worth over $3.3 billion have been reviewed by CBP. The Biden administration has targeted various sectors in Uyghur region, including agriculture, apparel, household appliances, batteries, chemicals, and plastics.
DHS stated that Shandong Meijia Group was found to be part of a government-sponsored labor program placing Xinjiang minorities in its Shandong province factory, following a review of publicly available information and an investigation by the Outlaw Ocean Project. Similar reviews confirmed that Dongguan Oasis Shoe and Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity were also involved in forced labor programs in Xinjiang.
