U.S. Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced the bipartisan Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and Trafficking Act, which aims to strengthen border security and combat human trafficking, according to a press release published by Higgins on July 12.
“This legislation represents a real, bipartisan effort to not only begin to address the root causes of migration, but to save lives at home and abroad,” said Correa, who is a Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. “By expanding American partnership with authorities in Mexico, Central America, and South America—and supporting their efforts to investigate and prosecute human smugglers and traffickers targeting children and families—we will make meaningful strides towards disrupting human trafficking operations at their roots and keeping our nation’s border safe, secure, and humane.”
“Human trafficking is evil, and everyone who participates in it is doomed to face judgment in the eyes of God,” said Higgins, who is the Chairman of the aforementioned Subcommittee. “Criminal cartels make billions by trafficking in human misery. This legislation will help enhance American partnerships with selected law enforcement agencies in Mexico, Central America, and South America. This legislation is a strategic maneuver in our war against the cartels.”
According to the Heritage Foundation, human trafficking as an industry has generated over $150 billion in illegal profits. Human trafficking arrests rose by 50% in 2022, with human trafficking arrests rising by 80% in the same span of time. Immigrants account for 72% of those trafficked in the U.S, with many victims being women or children.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens spoke on the U.S. and Mexican governments' collaboration to prevent human trafficking across their shared border in a tweet published on July 10.
"USBP's Yuma Sector Foreign Operations Branch partnered with the Government of Mexico (GoM) & arrested a human smuggler in Sonora," Owens wrote. "Teamwork w/ GoM is very common. Why? Criminal smugglers hurt people on both sides of the border. They will not have a place to hide from justice."
However, according to a Roll Call article published on July 12, Correa believes that the U.S. doesn't cooperate enough with its foreign partners. He criticized the U.S.' "strong-arming tactics" and asked the government to adopt a more open, collaborative approach.
“They’re working with us, but it’s not a working cooperation among equals,” said Correa. “We’ve got to get away from this, ‘We’re going to kick your ass, we’re going to force you to work for us', and say we’re working together because it’s the right thing to do for all of our constituents.”
