Human Trafficking is modern day slavery, widespread throughout the United States today. Trafficking in humans is the second largest criminal industry in the world. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

In the United States, it is estimated that we have between 18,000 to 20,000 trafficking victims arriving annually. Teenage runaways or throw-aways who are U.S. citizens are also at risk for human trafficking.

Central Texas Human Trafficking Task Force

A state-wide multidisciplinary group working to identify victims and prosecute traffickers through proactive and reactive investigations. This task force is headed by the U.S. Attorney's Office and consists almost entirely of law enforcement professionals.

Members of the Central Texas Human Trafficking Task Force include:

  • APD Human Trafficking Unit
  • Travis County Sheriff's Office
  • Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage,  mission (TABC)
  • U.S. Department of Labor
  • Office of the Attorney General of Texas
  • Social Security Administration
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District
  • Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking Chairperson

T-Visa

The TVPA established the T-Visa which allows certified victims of trafficking to become temporary residents of the U.S. The law authorizes up to 5,000 victims of trafficking each year to receive permanent residence status after three years from the issuance of their temporary residency visas. The law also makes victims of trafficking eligible for the Witness Protection Program.

Human Trafficking Unit

The Human Trafficking Unit enforces organized gambling, organized prostitution, and pornography-related state laws and city ordinances.

The unit also investigates cases related to the trafficking of persons, for sexual or labor exploitation. The unit works closely with members of the Central Texas Federal Law Enforcement Task Force to combat human trafficking.

This unit was established in 2009 and is part of the Organized Crime Division.