DHS Cites Progress in Fighting Human Trafficking
LIVE WEBINAR
〰️
Congressional investigations: Don't Get Caught in The Crossfire
〰️
LIVE WEBINAR 〰️ Congressional investigations: Don't Get Caught in The Crossfire 〰️
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gives its annual update on efforts to stop human trafficking. DHS considers fighting human trafficking, which includes crimes involving sex trafficking and forced labor, a top priority for the department.
The Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) Annual Report reviews DHS’s efforts during the previous fiscal year. The report lauds the progress of CCHT, which was launched two years ago to coordinate the efforts of 16 DHS agencies involved in stopping human trafficking. Various forms of human trafficking claim an estimated 30 million victims globally.
“CCHT’s leadership is already achieving significant results, including substantially more human trafficking investigations and arrests and greater victim support, like increased Continued Presence approvals, to name just a few of its accomplishments,” stated Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The report includes various successful operations by DHS components in FY 2022:
· Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted 765 victims of human trafficking and launched 1,373 criminal investigations, leading to 3,655 arrests and 639 convictions. It also granted 334 Continued Presence approvals to allow victims of human trafficking to temporarily stay in the U.S.
· U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and enforced the law prohibiting goods made by forced labor.
· U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted T Nonimmigrant status to 1,715 victims and 1,319 family members of victims.
· The DHS Blue Campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking, added 43 new partners including colleges and universities and youth serving organizations.
· Over 3,300 federal law enforcement officers received human trafficking awareness training.
CCHT Director Cardell Morant also praised the progress but says there is much more work to be done, calling human trafficking a “complex global issue that requires a comprehensive strategy.”
Director Morant added the Center will be busy implementing the Countering Human Trafficking Act of 2022, which President Biden signed into law in December 2022.
The legislation codified the CCHT and authorized $14 million in funding to carry out the Act to ensure that at least 45 employees will staff the Center.
“This fight remains one of our nation’s highest priorities, and DHS personnel are on the front lines every hour of every day,” said Director Morant.
Presidential Task Force Meets
Meanwhile, the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) met on February 13, 2023, for its second meeting under the Biden Administration.
That meeting discussed ways to implement an updated National Action Plan to end human trafficking.
Members also heard from a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, who “challenged us to effectively incorporate survivors as equal stakeholders in our work.”
The PITF is a cabinet-level entity created by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. The task force is chaired by the Secretary of State.