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Thank You for Joining Us for #WearBlueDay
Blue Campaign would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in #WearBlueDay — and to those who took steps to learn about and raise awareness of human trafficking throughout National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Across the nation, participants made a difference on Tuesday, January 11 by sharing creative photos and videos using the hashtag #WearBlueDay. Blue Campaign shared a variety of educational materials and other resources for anyone who wanted to act and get the conversation started about this crime. With collective efforts such as these, we can work together to #EndTrafficking.
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Secretary Mayorkas Releases Statement for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
In a statement for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month on January 25, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas reaffirmed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to shining a light on the crime, protecting the dignity of survivors, and bringing perpetrators to justice. Secretary Mayorkas praised the concerted efforts of DHS Components by highlighting the following human trafficking statistics for fiscal year 2021, among others:
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents made more than 2,360 human trafficking arrests, identified and assisted more than 728 trafficking victims, and issued the first-ever Continued Presence Resource Guide.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detained and seized more than 1,550 shipments containing nearly $500 million in merchandise linked to forced labor.
Secretary Mayorkas emphasized the importance of incorporating a victim-centered approach into every DHS policy, program, and activity, and vowed to bring the full measure of DHS resources to anti-human trafficking efforts during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and beyond.
Virtual Training and Education Events
Blue Campaign hosted several events in January to reach state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials and programs, community-serving organizations, law enforcement, students, and the private sector with information about how to combat human trafficking. More than 1,500 individuals from across the country attended Blue Campaign events in January. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to working with you in 2022.
BLI Hosts Virtual Panel for Aviation Industry Partners
More than 300 individuals from the aviation industry attended a virtual panel hosted by the Blue Lighting Initiative (BLI) last month in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The panel discussion centered around the aviation industry’s crucial role in supporting DHS’s mission to combat human trafficking, as well as an overview of DHS Component efforts to combat the crime in an aviation environment. A lived experience expert and human trafficking survivor joined the panel to provide firsthand accounts of what the crime can look like in aviation settings and indicators aviation employees can look for on the job.
Tucson Airport Authority Makes Partnership with Blue Lightning Initiative Official
A partnership between the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) and BLI has been formalized. TAA recently signed a memorandum of understanding with DHS and the U.S. Department of Transportation, agreeing to work toward the prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons at the Tucson International Airport (TUS). TAA personnel will participate in annual trainings and receive lanyard cards with human trafficking information. Additionally, educational signage about how to identify and report signs of the crime will be strategically placed in operations offices, public restrooms, and throughout the TUS terminal.
To learn more about BLI and how to partner, visit bit.ly/34MGphH.
Portman, Peters bipartisan bill to combat human trafficking signed into law (The Daily Advocate)
On December 27, 2021, the DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act was signed into law as part of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Sponsored by U.S. Senators Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Gary Peters, D-Mich., ranking member and chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the new bill was written to support the development and expansion of Blue Campaign public awareness and training materials.
Biden Signs the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act into Law (Forbes)
President Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on December 23, 2021. This bipartisan bill will work to ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market. The law is a direct response to reports of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities being subjected to forced labor and other atrocities.
New law adds Texas DPS number to human trafficking signs in salons, massage parlors (KSAT)
Texas Senators unanimously voted to add the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) telephone number to all existing human trafficking awareness signs in salons, massage parlors, and transportation hubs. The signs already list the National Human Trafficking Hotline number and website in English and Spanish.
Tag Blue Campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @DHSBlueCampaign. Each month we share content you can distribute on your social channels to raise awareness of human trafficking in your community.
- Did you know that racism and racial injustice play a role in perpetuating the crime of #HumanTrafficking? This #BlackHistoryMonth, @DHSBlueCampaign is highlighting @DHSgov Black leaders working to combat this crime.
- Your second look could mean a second chance for a victim of #HumanTrafficking. Watch @DHSBlueCampaign’s public service announcement to learn more: bit.ly/3HE9vi8
- Have you ever witnessed a situation that gave you pause? Download @DHSBlueCampaign’s indicator card so you can be better prepared to identify and report signs of #HumanTrafficking wherever you go: bit.ly/34NEzNB
For more information visit the Blue Campaign
To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
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