The state Assembly’s Task Force on Human Trafficking, a growing concern on Long Island, reviewed the problem during a meeting at Stony Brook University.
“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, so we must do everything in our power to rid this scourge from the earth,” said Assemblyman Ed Flood, who co-hosted the meeting.
The task force was created to investigate the troubling instances of sexual abuse, labor trafficking, and exploitation of both children and adults and what can be done to help the many victims throughout the state.
On the panel were some of Flood’s Assembly Minority Conference members, as well as Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, Laura Ahearn from the Crime Victims Center, and a representative from Sheriff Errol Toulon’s office.
“Human trafficking has grown into a $150 billion global trade, and it’s not just children. Economically desperate adults owe their lives to the coyotes who got them here and find themselves in prostitution, massage parlors, and other indentured work,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, a Task Force member.
“Witnessing such a diverse group of experts, law enforcement, and community leaders come together fills me with great hope and optimism for tackling this heavy-hitting and ongoing issue our society faces,” Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said. “I am truly happy we were able to address this critical issue, provide comprehensive support to affected parties, and most importantly, begin to implement effective strategies to combat human trafficking as a whole.”
“The ability of bad actors to bring unaccounted-for children into this country must be stopped,” stated Assemblyman DeStefano. “Current policies encourage mass migration into the United States, and the numbers are staggering. The border patrol is stretched thin, and the cartels that control the border on the Mexican side know precisely where the holes are. They can bring people, children, and illicit drugs such as fentanyl into our country practically at will.”
The rule requiring DNA testing of people coming over the border was eliminated, so it is difficult to determine who is accompanying these children, DeStefano noted. “Worst yet, we don’t know where they are being taken or by whom. Our government cannot possibly track these children to ensure their safety and well-being once they arrive here.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, as with many crimes of exploitation and abuse, human traffickers often prey upon members of marginalized communities and other vulnerable individuals. These include unaccompanied children; persons who do not have lawful immigration status in the United States; those in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems; runaway and homeless youth; Black people and other people of color; American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other indigenous peoples of North America; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals; migrant laborers; persons with disabilities; and individuals with substance use disorder.