The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas has announced its participation in National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, aligning with the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) to reinforce efforts against human trafficking and support victims. The office highlighted the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to disrupt trafficking operations and protect vulnerable individuals.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited. Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem added, “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us. The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on ongoing law enforcement cooperation: “During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country. The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers."
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser addressed misconceptions about human trafficking: “Oftentimes Hollywood movie culture reinforces myths that human trafficking exists only in a dark, underground world. The truth is that forced labor victims work in restaurants, cleaning services, construction sites, factories, and in private homes as domestic servants. Stopping these crimes requires knowing the signs of human trafficking and also dispelling misconceptions that make us less perceptive and dismissive when we should see red flags. All this helps us catch and prosecute the traffickers.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159 directing DOJ and DHS leadership to establish HSTFs nationwide with objectives including ending criminal cartel presence within U.S., dismantling cross-border smuggling operations—especially those involving children—and using all available legal tools for immigration enforcement.
Since January 20, 2025, the District of Kansas secured convictions against six former cult members for conspiracy related to exploiting minors through forced labor; five received prison sentences.
In January 2026 DHS and DOJ increased resources for anti-trafficking efforts by identifying ongoing investigations at multiple federal locations—particularly near borders—coordinating victim recovery through FBI squads; partnering with AMTRAK/FAMS for public awareness campaigns; distributing funds recovered from Backpage.com toward victim restitution; organizing seminars at educational institutions; among other outreach activities.
On August 25th last year HSTF launched a major initiative resulting in over 3,200 arrests—including members from several international criminal organizations—and seizures totaling more than $3 million cash as well as large quantities of weapons and narcotics during a 43-day operation.
