Assessment of Human Trafficking
Cole Bootz
Arizona State University

Abstract

Assessing the crime of Human Trafficking over the Arizona border from Mexico there were a lot of effective methods and non-effective methods used when trying to prevent human trafficking. It was most commonly found in my research, there were more ineffective methods than effective ones. During the assessment I continually focus on the more positive ways to combat human trafficking because of the significant impact the positive results have been outweighing the negative and ineffective results. What was discovered is that the border patrol is an extremely answer to finding and preventing human trafficking over the Mexico/Arizona border and how they are trained and what is planned to make them better at defending the borders. Other ways that have been found most effective are charities and campaigns and charities that bring light to the human trafficking situation that have been shown to be very effective as well, though not as proactive. Throughout there will be provided evidence to give examples and proof of how well the strategies legitimately work, and what can be added to improve the effectiveness of the implemented policies.

Human trafficking is a tremendous problem that plagues America, with a growing issue such as this ideal solutions need to be found in order so stop the imminent threat of Human Trafficking. Various ideas and tactics have been implemented to counteract trafficking over the border in which most have failed to be successful, although numerous attempts see failure the policies and strategies that have managed to create an impact have been crucial to suppressing the growth of trafficking across the border. We have found that these are the ways that are most effective and the ways that seem to continually get the best results.
On April, 22, 2014, Gov. Jan Brewer passed the House Bill 2454 that increased penalties to those found guilty of human trafficking in Arizona. According to Arizona Attorney General (Mark Brnovich 2014) the bill give a tough stance on human trafficking, the HB 2454 states that penalties increase against “Johns” (the ones who buy the trafficked persons) and traffickers. Sentencing for those found guilty rose from 10.5 years to 13.5 years for a first offense, 15.75 years to 24 years for a trafficker with a prior felony conviction, and 28 years to 31 years for a trafficker with two or more prior felonies. Since the bill has been implemented there has not been enough data collected to see if there has been any significant effect on human trafficking. Although there is no hard evidence it is speculated that with increase in penalty there is a decrease in trafficker’s motivation because the gain is not worth the punishment. HB 2454 though not quantitatively proven, is a very effective way to combat human trafficking because it shows that as a state our stance is only getting tougher on human trafficking and we have acknowledged this issue as a serious problem.
On the front lines the border patrol has been taking a very proactive approach. In 2012 homeland security implemented a four year plan to strengthen borders and enhance the response times of border patrol individuals. In 2012 it was stated that “21,370 Border Patrol agents, over 1,200 Air and Marine agents, and 21,186 CBP officers, all who work 24/7 with state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement in targeting illicit networks trafficking in people, drugs, weapons, and money. Over the last year, we have brought greater unity to our enforcement efforts, expanded collaboration with other agencies, and improved response times.” (Homeland Security 2012) Individuals placed along the Arizona border have been trained and are experts in detecting traffickers moving along the border. One of the most effective force that has been put into place is the Blue Lightning campaign, which takes airline personnel and trains them to identify potential trackers and trafficking victims. (U.S. customs/ border protection 2014) Blue lightning has proven to be very beneficial in spotting because of the stealth and the trackers inability to detect. It was stated by homeland security that besides the pilots, the passengers on each plane is told to stay vigilant and informed of the basic indicators of human trafficking. (U.S. customs/ border protection 2014) Before this was put into effect human traffickers were able to hide from ground patrol and are still able to today, but with the use of passenger planes being able to detect movement of traffickers and report it making it easier to catch and apprehend traffickers. It has been shown to work tremendously and continually proves to be a very good solution. Taking a new approach a campaign has been started by victims of human trafficking and homeland security. It is called the blue campaign and its focus is to bring light to the situation of human trafficking. It is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations, also offers training to law enforcement and others to increase detection and investigation of human trafficking, and to protect victims and bring suspected traffickers to justice. (Blue Campaign 2016) They offer help to victims and help them get back into normal society. The blue Campaign has been amazingly effective and is heavily funded by homeland security, it has risen awareness to a serious problem and more campaigns need to be funded so people know how big a problem this really is. Efforts to combat human trafficking have seen huge results. Before the implication of the aforementioned policies and efforts the possibility of catching traffickers was very low. These were the most efficient and productive ways to combat trafficking. Slow improvements are being made each day and if we continue to build upon these three things a stop to human trafficking could be in the near future.

Brnovich, M. (n.d.). Arizona Attorney General. Retrieved March 23, 2016, from https://www.azag.gov/trafficking/hb2454
Homeland Security. (2012). Retrieved March 23, 2016, from https://www.dhs.gov/news/2012/05/08/written-testimony-us-customs-and-border-protection-house-homeland-security
Homeland Security. (2016). Retrieved March 23, 2016, from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign