Biden’s open border policies are fueling a surge in human trafficking, leaving vulnerable migrants at risk of exploitation and modern slavery.
The facts speak for themselves, and Biden knows it.
At a Glance
- The 2023 Modern Slavery Index estimates 1.1 million human trafficking victims in the U.S.
- Federal human trafficking convictions decreased by 48% from 2019 to 2022
- Overwhelmed border agents are instructed to quickly process and release large groups of migrants, hindering proper vetting
- Guest-worker programs and reduced worksite audits contribute to increased trafficking risks
- Critics argue Biden’s policies facilitate trafficking and modern-day slavery
The Growing Threat of Human Trafficking
The Biden administration’s open border policies have created a perfect storm for human traffickers, putting countless migrants at risk of exploitation and modern slavery. As the Southwest border remains largely unsecured, criminal organizations are taking advantage of the situation to expand their illicit operations.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a retired NYPD detective and current member of Congress, has sounded the alarm on the increasing vulnerability of migrants to human trafficking.
The 2023 Modern Slavery Index paints a grim picture, estimating that there are 1.1 million human trafficking victims in the United States alone.
The open border policies of the Biden-Harris administration have led to a national security and humanitarian crisis unlike we have ever seen along our southern border.
With the release of this DHS report, the pressing question remains: where are these missing children? It is… https://t.co/gbYubliGIK
— Rep. Bob Latta (@boblatta) August 22, 2024
The Border Crisis and Its Consequences
The Biden administration’s failure to secure the Southwest border has created an environment where transnational criminal organizations, particularly cartels, can thrive. These groups are exploiting the open borders for human smuggling and trafficking operations, putting countless lives at risk.
Law enforcement reports a significant spike in trafficking incidents, with a staggering 2.2 million migrants apprehended in fiscal year 2022 alone. The sheer volume of illegal crossings has overwhelmed border agents, who are now instructed to quickly process and release large groups of migrants. This rushed approach severely hinders proper vetting and the detection of potential trafficking victims.
The Exploitation of Unaccompanied Minors
One of the most disturbing aspects of the current crisis is the exploitation of children – something the Democrats seem to think isn’t happening.
Smugglers are taking advantage of the Biden administration’s policies to persuade parents to hand over their children, leading to a record 130,000 unaccompanied minors being released to sponsors in 2022. The inadequate policies for placing these vulnerable young people greatly increase their risk of falling victim to labor and sex trafficking.
Guest-worker programs, such as H-2A and H-2B visas, are also contributing to the trafficking problem due to loose regulations. These programs, which were intended to provide legal pathways for temporary workers, have instead become potential avenues for exploitation.
A Case Study in Exploitation
A recent case in Pennsylvania highlights the real-world consequences of these failed policies. Cesar David Martinez-Gonzalez, a Venezuelan national, pled guilty to charges related to smuggling migrants for financial gain. He faces up to 120 years in prison for his crimes, which included demanding repayment of debts through low-paying jobs and providing false identification documents to his victims.
“The way to come to the U.S. illegally is, you generally have to pay a coyote — a smuggler — to come to the United States, to make your way through all of that. Most people don’t have all the money to pay the smuggler, so the deal that they cut is that they will pay part of the smuggling fee and then they will work off the rest of it. The problem is, often that working off the rest means debt bondage in the United States, and it can be debt bondage that you can never get your way out of,” Art Arthur, a former immigration judge who represents the Center for Immigration Studies, said.
This case exposes the dark underbelly of Biden’s open borders policy, where vulnerable migrants are trapped in cycles of debt and exploitation. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act provides some relief for victims, but critics argue that it’s not enough to address the root cause of the problem.
To combat the growing threat of human trafficking, experts are calling for a return to stricter border control measures. And incoming President Trump is planning to implement exactly that.
