It’s a sad commentary to say the least, when local, state and federal governments only talk about the issue of human trafficking, refuse to fund efforts to combat the criminal activity and refuse to do what’s necessary to at least, curb the disgraceful act of placing a price tag on a human being.
Quite some time ago, the practice of trafficking and slavery was abolished, but it didn’t end with the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s become a re-occurring nightmare for both illegal and legal citizens, but this time around, it’s widely known, but little is done to prevent it.
Also, quite some time ago,the National Association of Attorneys General requested funds for combating the growing issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery, but even today, cities are staging human trafficking and slavery awareness walks just to generate funds to ‘provide shelter, psychological counseling, education, and work skills for victims of sex trafficking.’
According to sources, human trafficking has become ‘the second largest crime in terms of dollars transacted in the US.’ It increases the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States and believe it or not, this practice circumvents any and all amnesty programs the federal government puts to the immigrant community. Immigrants that participate still have the burden of paying for their illegal entry, illegal employment and not all make enough under the table to do so.
‘Modern-day slavery or Human Trafficking is a form of forced labor where traffickers earn money or profit from the sale, control, and exploitation of others - oftentimes children.'
On Saturday, January 26, 2013, Houston’s Lakewood Church joined forces with Force 4 Compassion in a walk that was aimed to raise at least, awareness and funds for dealing with this Modern day slavery, as well as, hopefully bring the public to the forefront in the forever growing battle against an issue that’s well entrenched in most immigrant communities of Houston and Harris County.
Houston’s Mayor, Annise Parker has ‘commission a Blue Ribbon Committee to work with local police and community partners to find better ways for citizens to report and help preventing human trafficking.'
Again, Parker is talking the talk without walking the walk. The solution is as simple as, immigration enforcement, and removing the sanctuary city status.
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