Human trafficking is the crime of compelling a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. It poses grave danger to individual well-being, public health and safety, economic development, and national security and prosperity. Countering human trafficking is therefore a homeland security priority. Every day, DHS components leverage their authorities to impact sex trafficking and forced labor, including the importation of goods produced with forced labor.
The mission of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) is to advance counter human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims, and enhance prevention efforts by aligning DHS’ capabilities and expertise. By law, the CCHT advances every aspect of DHS's counter-trafficking work across four functional areas:
- identification and screening
- enforcement and investigations
- victim protection and assistance
- training, outreach, and engagement
Led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the CCHT also provides comprehensive support – intelligence, subject matter expertise, and funding – to HSI criminal human trafficking investigations worldwide.
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Report suspected human trafficking to federal law enforcement at 1-866-347-2423. Or get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
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Read about select achievements and advancements in the CCHT’s annual DHS Countering Human Trafficking: Year in Review.
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Discover the consequences that human traffickers face through a selection of HSI's top criminal investigations, CBP’s trade enforcement, and other DHS civil enforcement efforts.
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See what guides the Department’s comprehensive work in the
DHS Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor, and Child Sexual Exploitation. -
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Take action using free materials and training from the DHS Blue Campaign, the Department’s flagship public awareness campaign on human trafficking. Sign up for monthly e-news and join the conversation with @DHSBlueCampaign on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Learn about the DHS trade enforcement response to forced labor, where goods produced with forced labor are not entitled to entry at any U.S. ports. Access due diligence resources and business advisories.