CBP Bans Serbian Copper Over Forced Labor: Immigration News Today
US border officials just blocked all copper shipments from a major Serbian mining company — effective immediately. The reason: strong evidence that workers are being forced to work against their will. This move affects importers, supply chains, and sends a clear message about how the US enforces labor rights at its borders.
CBP Stops Serbian Copper at US Borders
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — the agency that controls what enters the United States — has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against copper and copper products made by Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. in Serbia. A WRO is an official order that tells CBP officers at every US port of entry to stop and hold shipments from a specific company. The order took effect immediately.
CBP says its investigation found strong evidence that workers at Serbia Zijin are forced to work against their will. Investigators reviewed worker statements, photographs, text message screenshots, reports from non-government organizations, and academic research. Together, this evidence showed six warning signs of forced labor recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO): abuse of vulnerability, withholding of wages, intimidation and threats, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, and excessive overtime.
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This is the fourth WRO issued by CBP in Fiscal Year 2026. With this action, CBP now enforces 56 WROs and eight formal Findings under US law (19 U.S.C. § 1307), which bans goods made with forced labor from entering the United States. "US manufacturers face unfair competition when foreign companies cut costs by using forced labor," said CBP Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. Companies that import detained shipments must either destroy the goods, send them back out of the US, or prove the products were not made with forced labor.
What This Means for Immigrants and Workers
While this story is about trade policy, it matters to immigrant communities too. Many immigrants work in manufacturing, supply chains, and import businesses. Understanding how US law protects against forced labor — and how CBP enforces these rules — is part of knowing your rights in the US workplace. If you or someone you know believes forced labor is happening in a supply chain that ships goods to the US, CBP accepts reports through its Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
What to do
- If you import copper or copper products from Serbia Zijin, stop new shipments immediately and contact a licensed customs attorney to understand your options.
- If you work in a supply chain connected to this company, document any concerns about working conditions — your records may be important later.
- If you believe forced labor is happening in goods being imported to the US, report it through CBP's Forced Labor Allegation Portal (available on the CBP website).
- If you are an immigrant worker facing unsafe or forced labor conditions in the US, lawyers recommend contacting a worker rights organization or immigration attorney — certain visa protections may apply to trafficking or forced labor victims.
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Immigrant workers who are victims of forced labor in the US may qualify for a T visa (a special visa for trafficking victims) or other protections — but only if they report the situation and cooperate with authorities. Do not wait: there are strict deadlines and procedures involved, and evidence like text messages, pay stubs, or witness statements can be critical to your case. Consult an immigration attorney who handles labor trafficking cases before taking any action on your own.