WASHINGTON – Today Representatives Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), and Hank Johnson (D-GA) introduced the National Human Trafficking Database Act, which would establish a national human trafficking database at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and incentivize state law enforcement agencies to report data. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the legislation in the Senate.

“Tens of thousands of human trafficking cases are reported every year in the United States. We must do everything we can to prevent human trafficking and having the necessary tools at our disposable will bring us closer to stopping this awful crime,” said Rep. Kiley. “The bipartisan National Human Trafficking Database Act would help combat this heinous crime by establishing a national database to fill critical information gaps and ultimately save lives.”

“For far too long, human trafficking has been prevalent across our country and especially on tribal lands.  This problem has now reached epidemic proportions, with “coyotes” preying on women and children crossing our wide-open southern border. The establishment of a human trafficking database will provide law enforcement with the tools needed to track movements, determine patterns that could expedite victim recovery, to more quickly catch perpetrators, and spotlight any challenges with prosecutions. I am proud to co-sponsor this important legislation,” Rep. Hageman stated.

“I’m proud to co-lead the National Human Trafficking Database Act alongside Congressman Kiley, and thank Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar for leading on this bipartisan, bicameral legislation. This common sense effort will streamline processes by creating a national database, provide law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to track and combat human trafficking more effectively, and ensure that survivors are protected and supported,” said Rep. Caraveo.

“Human trafficking is a grievous crime that exploits vulnerable people – often young girls – for personal profit,” said Rep. Johnson. “We must strengthen our efforts to protect those at risk and ensure justice for victims. That’s why I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill, which directs the Department of Justice to establish a national database and incentivize state law enforcement agencies to report critical data. This legislation will improve federal collaboration and allow for a more coordinated response to combat human trafficking.”

“Few domestic atrocities tear at the fabric of our society deeper than human trafficking. Trafficking networks leave a path of destruction in their wake and disrupting the organizations and individuals who engage in all forms of human trafficking is essential,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “The collection and sharing of data is a critical component in the fight against human trafficking and I applaud the authors for drafting this legislation to help combat this growing issue throughout our communities”

CLICK HERE to view text of the National Human Trafficking Database Act.

BACKGROUND:

Human trafficking is among the fastest-growing illicit trades in the world, generating over $150 billion in profits each year. According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization, human traffickers victimize an estimated 28 million people worldwide with 80% subjected to forced labor and 20% in sex trafficking. In 2022, agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) helped 765 human trafficking victims and made 3,655 trafficking-related arrests. As of 2022, DHS allocated more than $60 million to combating human smuggling and sent over 1,300 personnel to the southwest border and Latin America to aid in this effort.

Human traffickers know no bounds in their pursuit of victims, and their actions often cause mental trauma, physical harm, financial ruin, and countless other harms to survivors. Many trafficking cases in the U.S. involve workers in jobs with low pay and few legal protections in the underground economy and the service industry. As a result, it’s critical that states can collect data on the human trafficking that occurs in their state and share it with the federal government.

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