ICE, south Texas law enforcement committed to combatting human trafficking

SAN ANTONIO — To help increase public awareness of human trafficking, San Antonio-area law enforcement stood shoulder-to-shoulder Friday to announce their commitment to combat human trafficking.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and San Antonio Police Department are working together to help increase public awareness of human trafficking.  In 2010, President Barack Obama declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month to help combat this horrific modern-day form of slavery.

Human trafficking victims are not specific to age, race, nationality or gender, although most sex-trafficking victims are women.  By definition, human trafficking victims become modern-day slaves through force, fraud or coercion. Those targeted by traffickers are often perceived as vulnerable. Undocumented migrants, runaways and at-risk youth, and oppressed or marginalized groups are among the high-risk population of human trafficking victims.

To the public, the plight of these human trafficking victims often goes unnoticed. These victims have been terrorized into silence, even after they have opportunities for escape.  They have little money and no control of their meager possessions.  Many become victims after being smuggled to an unfamiliar culture without identification documents, afraid for their safety and the lives of their families.

Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes HSI investigates. HSI routinely works with federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute human traffickers, and rescue their victims.

In fiscal year 2014, HSI initiated 987 human trafficking investigations and recorded 1,770 arrests, 1,028 indictments, 828 convictions associated to human trafficking and identified 440 victims.

A significant part of combatting human trafficking is public education and awareness.  Jan. 11 marked the observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

“Our children are not for sale,” said Nicolas “Nico” LaHood, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney.  “We must fight and defeat those who would dare to sell them, and those who buy them.”

“Human trafficking is an important issue for San Antonio and Bexar County because we are at the confluence of major interstates that run to and from Mexico,” said Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau. “Ending human trafficking is an important aspect of law enforcement.  However, these cases are often difficult to resolve because victims, many times, don’t realize they are victims.  Despite abuse and inhumane treatment, victims often feel compelled to protect the very people who are abusing them.”

“To profit off the suffering and exploitation of an innocent victim is the worst form of crime imaginable, said San Antonio Police Chief Anthony Trevino. “Human Trafficking is a global problem we must all fight together, as it has the potential to personally affect any one of our lives at any time.  We are honored to partner with every one of these agencies in this endeavor.”

While the process for fighting human trafficking is a tough battle, those who are being exploited can make the fight taxing.

Many human trafficking victims have been so traumatized from their experience that they don't identify themselves as victims; they don't realize they've been exploited.  They may have developed relationships with those exploiting them," Ayala said. "It’s a challenge for human trafficking victims to recount their horrific experiences to investigators, and ultimately in court in front of their traffickers."

In its commitment to end human trafficking, HSI relies on tips from the public to dismantle these organizations. HSI encourages the public to suspicious activity by calling its toll-free number:  1-866-347-2423.

Human trafficking indicators:

• Is the victim in possession of identification and travel documents; if not, who has control of the documents?
• Was the victim coached on what to say to law enforcement and immigration officials?
• Was the victim recruited for one purpose and forced to engage in some other job?
• Is the victim’s salary being garnished to pay off a smuggling fee? (Paying off a smuggling fee alone is not considered trafficking.)
• Was the victim forced to perform sexual acts?
• Does the victim have freedom of movement?
• Has the victim or family been threatened with harm if the victim attempts to escape?
• Has the victim been threatened with deportation or law enforcement action?
• Has the victim been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?
• Can the victim freely contact friends or family?
• Is the victim a juvenile engaged in commercial sex?