Posted by John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plays a significant role in preventing and combating human trafficking. Since 2010, our work has yielded more than 2,200 human trafficking arrests, 1,154 indictments and 796 convictions. Last year alone, ICE initiated a significant number of human trafficking investigations, contributing to more than 967 arrests, 559 indictments and 381 convictions.
ICE is one of the primary federal agencies responsible for combating human trafficking. We work with our law enforcement partners to investigate suspected cases, and to identify, rescue and provide assistance to trafficking victims.
We work hard each and every day to identify and investigate human traffickers, and we are equally committed to ensuring that victims of this terrible crime are given the support and resources they need. We have resources for human trafficking victims in every Homeland Security field office. In the vast majority of our field offices, ICE employs full-time victim assistance coordinators, to ensure victims’ welfare remains a top priority. Additionally, in all our field offices, collateral-duty coordinators who provide counseling and crisis intervention services for victims and victim witness coordinators are available on an as-needed basis.
Everyone has a role to play in combating human trafficking. ICE relies on tips from the public to dismantle human trafficking organizations. I encourage you to learn the indicators of human trafficking by taking the DHS general awareness training, and keep your eyes and ears open to suspicious activity. Trafficking victims are often hidden in plain sight, voiceless and scared, and you can help bring the perpetrators to justice.
If you suspect human trafficking, call the Homeland Security Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or complete our online tip form. To learn more about human trafficking and what you can do, please visit www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign and the Blue Campaign Facebook page.