December 3, 2007

ICE launches human trafficking awareness campaign to thwart forced servitude in the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today launched a public service campaign to generate awareness and inform the American public on how they can help save the life of someone being held in forced servitude.

Each year, thousands of individuals are trafficked into the United States, often without knowing the real circumstances of their travel. Victims are lured to the U.S. with a variety of ploys and once here, forced into involuntary servitude or sexual slavery through force, fraud or coercion. Perpetrators often use threats of or actual physical and emotional abuse to keep their victims captive.

A recent ICE-led Detroit trafficking case, which resulted in nine convictions, will be the subject of an MSNBC news special tonight, "Sex Slaves in America". Coinciding with the release of the special report, a powerful public service announcement developed and produced by ICE will air on television stations around the country asking anyone who suspects trafficking activity in their community to call 1 866 DHS-2ICE (866 347-2423).

"A trafficking victim is anonymous only when they're ignored. They can be anyone, living anywhere and anyone of us can help rescue them," said Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Julie L. Myers for ICE. "This is a multi-billion dollar industry that uses the promise of America to rob individuals of their freedom."

ICE has taken an aggressive approach to attack this global criminal problem by targeting the people, money and materials that support criminal trafficking networks. In the last three fiscal years, ICE initiated 958 investigations into human trafficking organizations that resulted in 520 arrests, 339 criminal indictments and 281 criminal convictions as well as the seizure of over $9 million in assets from organizations.

The U.S. Government is working to end human trafficking in the United States by aggressively investigating and prosecuting traffickers and rescuing and protecting their victims. However, the greatest challenge ICE faces is identifying victims. No rescue or investigation can begin until a trafficking situation is discovered.

ICE is asking the American people, civic organizations, community and faith based groups and our law enforcement partners to develop an awareness of these modern day slaves, to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to ICE right away.

The public service announcement and associated facts sheet are posted on the ICE website at www.ice.gov for anyone who wants to use this material or learn more about trafficking. If you suspect trafficking activity in your community, call 866 DHS-2ICE.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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