The Borders, Trade, and Immigration (BTI) Institute, a national consortium led by the University of Houston, Tex., announced that its second annual Conference to Combat Human Trafficking will be held Dec. 12-13 at the University of Houston Student Center, 4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston, Tex., 77004.
The meeting will address new technologies aimed at limiting human and drug trafficking and focus on areas in need of future study, a University of Houston/BTI press release said. The website noted that the event is free, but attendees must register by November 15, 2023.
The conference invites law enforcement, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services representatives, intelligence analysts, researchers, non-governmental agencies combating human trafficking, and solution providers. The conference is a joint initiative of the BTI, the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other strategic collaborators, including state departments, local authorities, universities, and organizations dedicated to combating human trafficking, the announcement said.
The BTI Institute is a DHS Center for Excellence. Such centers bring together leading experts and researchers for collaborative multidisciplinary research and education, aiming to address homeland security challenges. These centers are authorized by Congress and selected through a competitive process overseen by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. Each center is spearheaded by a university in partnership with diverse collaborators. The BTI Institute's mission involves conducting research, formulating solutions, and generating resources to enhance the nation's border security, facilitate legitimate trade and travel, and ensure the credibility of the immigration system, the release said.
The contact for the upcoming conference is Kevin Clement, executive director of strategic partnerships at the BTI: KClement@uh.edu or 512.626.5413.
