Final answer:
Human trafficking became a policy concern in the 1970s due to increased immigration. The U.S. addressed these concerns with legislation like the 2008 William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which helped safeguard unaccompanied minors and underscored the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
Concerns about human trafficking became a significant policy issue in the 1970s, a period characterized by rising immigration from Asia and Mexico to the United States. These concerns led to the enactment of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which provides safeguards for unaccompanied minors arriving from non-contiguous countries and mandates a court hearing for them to seek asylum based on credible fear of persecution or torture.
Immigration issues have continued to evolve, highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform and addressing the status of undocumented immigrants. The intense debates over immigration policy culminated in significant measures like the construction of a fence along the Mexican border and the militarization of the border patrol, as well as legislative efforts such as the 2008 act designed to protect victims of trafficking, who are often propelled by poverty, violence, and risks of exploitation.