Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) expressed support for efforts that will help combat the practice of trafficking of Cuban baseball players.

“Today, Major League Baseball, the MLB Players Association, and the Cuban Baseball Federation reached an important agreement that will help address the issue of human trafficking that so many Cuban baseball players experience as they seek to play in the United States,” said Emmer. “It is great to see all parties take the initiative and put together a targeted agreement which will stop the repeated exploitation of these players and their families.”

The agreement establishes a framework for Cuban athletes to enter into the Major League system after certain criteria are met. This agreement is consistent with other agreements reached between MLB and countries like Japan, and Korea. 

Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Emmer has supported numerous efforts to combat human trafficking in the United States and globally. These efforts include the Congressman’s support of legislation like the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2200, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017, H.R. 1312.

In addition, Congressman Emmer serves as a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Cuba Working Group. He is the lead sponsor of the Cuba Trade Act, H.R. 442, to lift the current economic embargo on Cuba, and you can read more about his work on Cuba, here.

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