McCaul Meets with Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance

I, the Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Chairman Emeritus on the House Homeland Security Committee, recently met with local, state, and federal partners of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).

It was great to meet with the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance coming on the heels of the incredible success of Tri-Point, the 47-person arrest in Katy and Fort Bend County. I have long said a comprehensive approach is the only solution to tackling this heinous crime; one that brings together federal, local and state law enforcement with survivor advocacy and support groups to increase community awareness.

Therefore, I pushed legislation like my DHS Blue Campaign Act, to require human trafficking mitigation efforts to remain a top priority for the Department of Homeland Security. This legislation was signed into law last February. Despite this success, I continue to work hard and find solutions to end human trafficking’s impact in our local communities.

This Congress, I remain just as committed to secure wins against human trafficking. In fact, I recently introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand the training of another program started here in Texas, by the Department of Public Safety. My legislation would establish a pilot program to help law enforcement officials nationwide to better recognize the signs of human trafficking, especially as traffickers continue to advance their recruitment tactics online.

Background

The HTRA is a Department of Justice program operated by the Southern District of Texas. Established in 2004, this program is a collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together and area social service organizations. Since its inception, members have aided more than 650 victims and have trained nearly 5,500 federal, state and local law enforcement and other non-governmental organizations on trafficking issues.