The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the opening of its Washington-based Center for Countering Human Trafficking, calling it the first operations center of its kind supporting federal criminal investigations in the United States.
The DHS said in a statement on Oct. 20 that the initiative is part of a government commitment to combat human trafficking, an issue that President Donald Trump has made a hallmark of his administration.
Proud to announce the opening of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking. One of the many steps the Trump administration has taken to combat and dismantle all forms of human trafficking. https://t.co/EvnoF7lnU4 pic.twitter.com/HXEZBWOfe4
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) October 20, 2020
Sex and labor trafficking victimize almost 25 million people worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department’s 2019 “Trafficking in Persons” report (pdf).
“Proud to announce the opening of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking,” Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf wrote on Twitter. “One of the many steps the Trump administration has taken to combat and dismantle all forms of human trafficking.”
The new facility represents “the investment of resources, attention, and time by this administration,” Wolf said.
As part of the Trump administration’s commitment to combat human trafficking, DHS announces the launch of a Department-wide Center for Countering Human Trafficking. https://t.co/lAgjB5faVZ pic.twitter.com/8vTyEdWK1a
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) October 20, 2020
“Human trafficking is modern day slavery. There is no other way to say it. The words are strong because the actions are evil,” Wolf said. “The forms of exploitation, sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude that constitute human trafficking are antithetical in every way to the principles of human dignity that Americans hold dear.”
Forced labor and human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion industry worldwide, according to the U.N.’s International Labour Organization.
Wolf says the center, led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), will serve as the central hub to support victims of human trafficking, investigative operations, intelligence and data collection and analysis, and training and outreach for law enforcement partners, civil society, and the public…
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