Advocates Worry About Lack of Review for LA28 Plan on Homelessness and Human Trafficking

Los Angeles Officials Face Pressure Over Human Rights Report for 2028 Olympic Games

A report addressing civil rights, homelessness, and human trafficking in relation to the 2028 Olympic Games remains unpublished more than two months after its submission, raising concerns among human rights advocates about the potential lack of attention and funding for these crucial issues.

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the LA City Council president and chair of the ad-hoc committee overseeing the LA28 Games, has not placed the human rights report on the committee’s agenda. When contacted for comment, Harris-Dawson’s office did not respond. Additionally, both Sharon Tso, the city’s chief legislative analyst, and Matthew Szabo, the city’s administrative officer, stated that they have not reviewed the report, mentioning that it “nothing appears on the council file,” according to Tso.

"This delay limits discussion on an important topic," said Stephanie Richard, a clinical professor leading the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative at Loyola Law School. Her organization released its own comprehensive report on human trafficking related to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in December. "From an anti-trafficking perspective, this is a historic moment. Yet the public has no access to the draft."

Richard also emphasized that without transparency, Los Angeles cannot adequately prepare and advocates cannot offer informed guidance, noting, “LA28 is setting a global precedent — one that currently lacks public accountability.”

The organizing committee for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, known as LA28, was expected to develop a human rights strategy for the Games. Although the report was completed by the December 31 deadline, LA28 cannot publicly release it until the city does. Jacie Prieto Lopez, the vice-president of communications and public affairs for LA28, stated, "As per our Games Agreement with the City, LA28 completed the Human Rights Strategy at the end of 2025. We are now working closely with city leaders on next steps."

However, the timeline and nature of these next steps remain unclear.

Meanwhile, FIFA is producing its own human rights report in relation to the upcoming World Cup, which will include eight games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. A FIFA spokesperson stated that in each host city, human rights teams are crafting tailored Human Rights Action Plans in consultation with local stakeholders, with plans to be published prior to the tournament. In Los Angeles, sources indicate that this report may not be released until May, shortly before the tournament begins. Other U.S. host cities, including Seattle and Houston, have already introduced their initiatives on these issues.

Richard, who has been invited to consult with LA28 on its report, highlighted the importance of releasing both the Olympic and World Cup reports for public oversight. Her group has urged LA28 and FIFA to allocate between $2.75 million and $3.1 million specifically for anti-trafficking efforts, support public awareness campaigns, and fund independent audits to ensure accountability. They also advocate for long-term programs extending beyond the two events.

"One of the things our report starts from is the only evidence-based data connected to major sporting events is that labor trafficking increases," Richard explained. "Major sporting events require an influx of workers, many of whom are vulnerable immigrant workers in the construction industry.”

She pointed out that the involvement of federal immigration officials in Los Angeles adds further complexity to human trafficking concerns.

In mid-February, a group of nine state legislators signed a letter urging LA28, FIFA, and local officials to adopt the recommendations made by Richard’s group and make the report publicly accessible as a vital step toward accountability. However, when approached for comment, the legislators declined to address the issue, with a spokesperson for Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez stating she was unavailable for discussion.

As the 2028 games approach, advocates and city officials face growing pressure to address these critical human rights issues effectively.