There are many misconceptions about child trafficking. One of the first is that many Americans assume it is a third-world or international problem.
But it is right here on American soil, right in our backyards. Human trafficking in general is a heinous crime but when you have children being trafficked, it takes it to another level completely.
Child trafficking is occurring more than most people realize. In fact, children account for half of all victims of human trafficking. Many of these children of illegal trafficking end up in the illicit sex industry, debt bondage, and forced labor.
Human trafficking is becoming a growing topic of concern across the nation and the world.
But it is not a new problem. It has been an issue for a long time and has become a hot political topic that is directly related to the open-border crisis.
Once anything becomes a political topic, it then gets more exposure, more press, and politicians from both sides of the aisle want to chime in on the subject.
Then it only becomes a matter of time before legislation is introduced and changes are made. Which has already occurred – but has it helped?
According to Michael Letts, LEO advocate, political expert, and founder/CEO of nonprofit organization InVest USA, it’s not helping enough.
“It is getting worse but people are becoming more aware of it which is why it seems 10 times worse than what it was,” Michael told LET in an exclusive interview.
“We now have 673,000 children that have been missing since the last three years the Biden administration has taken over. They initially said it was 80-something thousand but the true figure is 673,000. That’s a lot of kids,” Michael added.
The Biden administration and the Department of State have praised themselves after their recently published 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report. In it, they offer statistics, facts, and solutions. But in reality, they have contributed to the problem more than they have offered real, tangible solutions.
“This is the saddest part for our country. America has the dishonor of being the greatest pass-through of children in the world,” Michael said.
He continued, “What happens is they [child traffickers] take them [the victims], bring them up to the open borders, and then they're able to ‘store’ them here, for lack of a better word, and transfer them all across the world. It's easier for you to bring children in if you're coming from America than it is if you're coming from Venezuela or Colombia or something along those lines. So they bring them here first because it's easier for them to export them after that.”
This is yet another valuable reason why America needs to secure its borders.
Fight Against Child Trafficking
Child trafficking can occur anywhere, anytime, and often right under our noses to people you may already know.
You don’t have to wait for government policies to help solve the crisis. You can do your part by staying vigilant and recognizing the signs of trafficking.
Some warning signs include:
• Running away from home
• Possessing cell phones that they did not purchase on their own
• Making purchases with credit cards that do not belong to them
• Older boyfriends
• New tattoos (traffickers often use tattoos as a form of branding)
• Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
• Works excessively long or unusual hours
• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
• Withholds of documents such as passport/security card
• High-security measures exist in the work or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
With trafficking, the more you pay attention, the more you will see everything. If you know someone is a victim of trafficking, call law enforcement authorities or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: at 1-888-373-7888 or Text “Help” to 233733 (BeFree)
To learn more about Letts, go to michaelletts.us and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts HERE.
-------------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
But it is right here on American soil, right in our backyards. Human trafficking in general is a heinous crime but when you have children being trafficked, it takes it to another level completely.
Child trafficking is occurring more than most people realize. In fact, children account for half of all victims of human trafficking. Many of these children of illegal trafficking end up in the illicit sex industry, debt bondage, and forced labor.
Human trafficking is becoming a growing topic of concern across the nation and the world.
But it is not a new problem. It has been an issue for a long time and has become a hot political topic that is directly related to the open-border crisis.
Once anything becomes a political topic, it then gets more exposure, more press, and politicians from both sides of the aisle want to chime in on the subject.
Then it only becomes a matter of time before legislation is introduced and changes are made. Which has already occurred – but has it helped?
According to Michael Letts, LEO advocate, political expert, and founder/CEO of nonprofit organization InVest USA, it’s not helping enough.
“It is getting worse but people are becoming more aware of it which is why it seems 10 times worse than what it was,” Michael told LET in an exclusive interview.
“We now have 673,000 children that have been missing since the last three years the Biden administration has taken over. They initially said it was 80-something thousand but the true figure is 673,000. That’s a lot of kids,” Michael added.
The Biden administration and the Department of State have praised themselves after their recently published 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report. In it, they offer statistics, facts, and solutions. But in reality, they have contributed to the problem more than they have offered real, tangible solutions.
“This is the saddest part for our country. America has the dishonor of being the greatest pass-through of children in the world,” Michael said.
He continued, “What happens is they [child traffickers] take them [the victims], bring them up to the open borders, and then they're able to ‘store’ them here, for lack of a better word, and transfer them all across the world. It's easier for you to bring children in if you're coming from America than it is if you're coming from Venezuela or Colombia or something along those lines. So they bring them here first because it's easier for them to export them after that.”
This is yet another valuable reason why America needs to secure its borders.
Fight Against Child Trafficking
Child trafficking can occur anywhere, anytime, and often right under our noses to people you may already know.
You don’t have to wait for government policies to help solve the crisis. You can do your part by staying vigilant and recognizing the signs of trafficking.
Some warning signs include:
• Running away from home
• Possessing cell phones that they did not purchase on their own
• Making purchases with credit cards that do not belong to them
• Older boyfriends
• New tattoos (traffickers often use tattoos as a form of branding)
• Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
• Works excessively long or unusual hours
• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
• Withholds of documents such as passport/security card
• High-security measures exist in the work or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
With trafficking, the more you pay attention, the more you will see everything. If you know someone is a victim of trafficking, call law enforcement authorities or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: at 1-888-373-7888 or Text “Help” to 233733 (BeFree)
To learn more about Letts, go to michaelletts.us and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts HERE.
-------------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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