Luttrell: Time to take bold action and end human trafficking in America

"Ending human trafficking in America will require real legislative action that addresses the root causes and enforces consequences for traffickers"
 – Congressman Morgan Luttrell

Human trafficking is not a distant, overseas issue—it’s happening right here in our communities, across rural towns and major cities in America. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were over 9,000 cases of human trafficking reported in 2023. However, experts estimate this number is just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported.
 
Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of society, exploiting gaps in immigration laws, economic inequalities, and weakened law enforcement to profit off of their victims. Across the country, human trafficking primarily takes two forms: Labor trafficking and sex trafficking.
 
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that around 24.9 million people globally are victims of forced labor, including within the United States. These victims are often forced into industries like agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Meanwhile, sex trafficking disproportionately impacts vulnerable women and children. The statistics are atrocious, but they underscore the urgent need for a national strategy to combat human trafficking.
 
As a border state, Texas faces a distinct set of challenges in fighting human trafficking. The state’s proximity to the Mexico border and its status as a major transportation hub make it a prime target for traffickers. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported more than 900 cases of human trafficking in Texas in 2023 — a number that has been steadily rising over the years.
 
Specifically, Houston’s highways, international airports, and access to major seaports have made it a hub for human trafficking. One study from the University of Texas at Austin estimates that there are more than 300,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas alone, including nearly 79,000 minors and youth who are victims of sex trafficking.
 
The border crisis only exacerbates the human trafficking epidemic. Weak border security and failed immigration policies have allowed traffickers to exploit individuals trying to cross into the United States. Many of these individuals, particularly women and children, are at high risk of being trafficked. We need to secure our border, not just for the safety of Americans, but to protect those who are vulnerable to trafficking networks operating along the southern border.
 
Ending human trafficking in America will require real legislative action that addresses the root causes and enforces consequences for traffickers. To combat this heinous crime, Congress should:
 
Harden Border Security: Human trafficking and illegal immigration often go hand in hand. By strengthening our border security, we can disrupt trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable migrants. This includes fully funding the construction of a border wall, increasing the number of Border Patrol agents, and deploying new technologies to monitor and prevent illegal border crossings.
 
Increase Penalties for Traffickers: Traffickers must face severe consequences for their crimes. We need to introduce federal legislation that mandates harsher penalties for those convicted of human trafficking. Minimum sentences for traffickers should be extended, and those convicted of trafficking children should be ineligible for parole.
 
Target Online Trafficking Platforms: The rise of the internet has created new avenues for traffickers to exploit victims. Online platforms, including social media and websites on the dark web, have become prime locations for traffickers to recruit, advertise, and exploit vulnerable individuals. Congress must work to hold these platforms accountable and mandate stronger reporting and oversight mechanisms to detect trafficking activity.
 
This week, I will be re-introducing the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act, which amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to permit Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funds to be used for anti-human trafficking efforts, providing law enforcement the resources to combat the traffickers who threaten and force men, women, and children into modern-day slavery.
 
As a country that prides itself on freedom, we must take bold steps to ensure that no one—no matter their background, gender, or immigration status—falls victim to this horrific crime. It’s time for Congress to unite around a comprehensive strategy that attacks trafficking from all angles: Prevention, prosecution, and protection for victims.