November 26, 2008

Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative agency in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has responsibility for enforcing laws related to human smuggling and trafficking. As a result, ICE plays a leading role in the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center (HSTC), the federal government's primary tool in the fight against human smuggling and trafficking.

The HSTC was formally established under Section 7202 of the Intelligence Reform Act and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The secretary of state, the secretary of homeland security, the attorney general and members of the national intelligence community jointly oversee the HSTC through a high-level interagency steering group.

The HSTC was established to achieve greater integration and overall effectiveness in the U.S. government's efforts to combat human smuggling, trafficking in persons, and clandestine terrorist travel. The HSTC coordinates activities with foreign governments to ensure that efforts are addressed globally. The HSTC brings together federal agency subject matter experts from the policy, law enforcement, intelligence and diplomatic arenas to work together and leverage all participating agencies' knowledge, expertise and authorities to address the global threat of illicit travel. ICE manages the day-to-day activities of the HSTC.

The HSTC, which is a support organization and does not have directive authority, has five main functional areas:

• Facilitating the broad dissemination of all-source information – The HSTC is an intelligence/law enforcement/diplomacy fusion center and information clearinghouse that integrates and disseminates raw and finished tactical, operational and strategic intelligence and information to member U.S. agencies' operational components, U.S. policy makers and appropriate foreign partners. This intelligence provides actionable leads for U.S. law enforcement and border security agencies that result in criminal investigations as well as interceptions of smuggled humans.
• Preparing strategic assessments – The HSTC prepares strategic assessments related to important aspects of human smuggling and trafficking in persons and clandestine terrorist travel. Assessment topics may include: global smuggling and trafficking organizations and networks; the extent of progress in dismantling organizations; smuggling and trafficking schemes, patterns and trends; and proven law enforcement and other approaches for countering smuggling and trafficking. Among the HSTC's products are intelligence bulletins, reports and notes, longer analysis products, and target packages about human smuggling organizations and networks, which are provided to appropriate U.S. agencies for action. The HSTC's strategic assessments provide policy makers with accurate, objective analysis about threats, vulnerabilities and opportunities for action. Customers have included the U.S. Congress, the National Security Council and other federal agencies.
• Identifying issues for interagency coordination or action – The HSTC identifies issues and makes recommendations related to migrant smuggling or trafficking in persons for referral to relevant agencies or interagency organizations for action, as appropriate. These issues and initiatives can be either domestic or foreign.
• Coordinating select initiatives and providing other support – Where appropriate, and upon the request of relevant participating U.S. agencies, the HSTC may coordinate domestic and international anti-smuggling or trafficking initiatives. These initiatives may include bilateral or multilateral activities against smuggling networks and support can include intelligence support to law enforcement. The multi-agency nature of the HSTC guarantees its neutrality, which helps it defuse conflicts between competing agencies.
• Working with and exchanging information with allied foreign governments and organizations – The HSTC serves as a centralized U.S. point of contact for similar allied foreign centers, multi-national organizations, and national law enforcement and intelligence authorities that combat international illicit travel. The HSTC actively exchanges information with allies and partners - including INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and FRONTEX - regarding human smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorist mobility.