HSI Seeks Community Support in Human Trafficking Efforts (Videos)

Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix
Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix

Special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which was recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, will come together on January 11th from across the country to show solidarity for victims of human trafficking, while pushing to educate the community on the various indicators, signs and the different forms of the crime.

In recognition of this important topic, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign, which was honored in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, will also host a Wear Blue Day on January 11th to encourage participants to dress in blue attire and post photos on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay, to show support to trafficking victims, raise awareness and provide prevention information about this horrendous crime.

“As a border state, the fight against human trafficking remains a top priority of HSI,” explains Scott Brown, special agent in charge (SAC), HSI Phoenix.

“We are most successful in combatting human trafficking when we partner with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to form a force multiplier.”

Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix
Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix

“We also place a significant amount of value in the role community members and businesses play in identifying victims by learning to recognize the signs of human trafficking and reporting suspected incidences.”

“We can all make a difference by working together in an effort to stamp out trafficking.”

HSI partners with the Blue Campaign to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize indicators of human trafficking and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.

(The signs are everywhere, sometimes, you just have to take a second look. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and it happens in our own communities. Your second look could be their second chance. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and YouTube.)

The campaign works closely with all DHS components, including HSI, to develop general awareness training and educational resources to help reduce victimization in vulnerable populations.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to lure innocent and vulnerable victims into forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.

In fiscal year 2021 alone ICE HSI human trafficking arrests across the country increased to 2,360 from 1,746 in the previous year, with 728 victims identified and assisted.

It is also important for the public to note that this crime has no age, gender, ethnic or economic boundaries, and perpetrators may target adults, children, men, women, foreign nationals, and U.S. citizens from all economic classes.

Traffickers may also target individuals for many reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, and/or political instability.

(Blue Campaign infographic resources will help you to answer the question, “What is Human Trafficking?” Please help us bring this crime out of the shadows by sharing these materials on social media. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and YouTube.)

Due to fear and intimidation by their traffickers, language barriers, and sometimes anxiety about law enforcement, many victims will not seek help even when given the opportunity in a public setting.

Community members can help, and even potentially save lives,

Courtesy of DHS and the Blue Campaign
Courtesy of DHS and the Blue Campaign

By being vigilant and recognizing some of the common indicators, you can make a difference by identifying possible human trafficking including:

  • Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?

  • Has a child stopped attending school?

  • Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?

  • Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?

  • Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?

You can step up and help #endtrafficking. Save these numbers to your phone in case you ever witness a situation you think could be human trafficking. And see indicators below to learn what #humantrafficking may look like. (Courtesy of Blue Campaign and DHS)
  • Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?

  • Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?

  • Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?

  • Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?

  • Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?

  • Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?

  • Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?

  • Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

If someone believes trafficking may be occurring, they should not approach the potential suspect or victim(s).

For the safety of the public and the victim(s), suspicious activity should first be reported to local law enforcement.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at ice.gov/tipline, or by phone at 866-347-2423.

“HSI Phoenix will proudly join other HSI and DHS offices throughout the U.S. and abroad as we proudly wear our blue on the 11th,” added SAC Brown.

“I would be extremely honored if our community were to join us in this effort. Please tag us @HSIPhoenix to display your blue.”

“Together, let’s send a strong message to human trafficking victims – help us help them come out of the shadows.”

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of DHS, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move.

HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries.

HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI Phoenix’s fight against human trafficking in your community at @HSIPhoenix.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Recognized in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards

2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.
2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon (starting front row, left to right) SIMS Software President & CEO Michael Struttmann; TENEO Risk Advisory Executive Chairman Commissioner Bill Bratton; NEC National Security Systems President Dr. Kathleen Kiernan; TSA Administrator David Pekoske; Fortior Solutions General Counsel Katherine Cowan; NEC Corporation of America Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer Raffie Beroukhim; TENEO Risk Advisory Chief of Staff David Cagno; Infragard National Board Member Doug Farber, Lumina Analytics Co-Founder & Chairman Allan Martin, and AMAROK Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mike Dorrington.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Sixth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  • Excellence in Homeland Security

  • HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move, with a mission to investigate, disrupt and dismantle terrorist, transnational and other criminal organizations that threaten or seek to exploit the customs and immigration laws of the United States.

Courtesy of ICE and Twitter
In 2021 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), identified the increased use of social media platforms such as Facebook, by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), to recruit and facilitate drug smuggling in the El Paso area.
  • HSI has broad, legal authority to conduct federal criminal investigations into the illegal cross-border movement of people, goods, money, technology, and other contraband throughout the United States, and utilizes these authorities to investigate a wide array of transnational crime, including terrorism; national security threats; narcotics smuggling; transnational gang activity; child exploitation; human smuggling and trafficking; illegal exports of controlled technology and weapons; money laundering; financial fraud and scams; worksite and employment crimes; cybercrime; intellectual property theft and trade fraud; identity and benefit fraud; and human rights violations and war crimes.

(See how law enforcement can more effectively collaborate to form a force multiplier of resources and capabilities in the ever-expanding global world of crime. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) bridges the gap. HSI has the ability to follow the “pipeline” and to proactively pursue the larger networks of illicit activities. HSI can serve as a force multiplier from anywhere domestic; from Minot, ND to New York City – to almost anywhere around the world with our international partners, either through the Transnational Criminal Investigative Units (TCIU’s) – which expand HSI’s footprint and enhance cooperation between partner nations and the United States – or through our 63 HSI International Attaché offices. State and Local law enforcement have the ability to leverage HSI’s unique legal authorities and global footprint to help combat crimes in their community; such as the growth and proliferation of transnational crimes and the rampant and far-reaching cyber crimes – most notably, the darknet. Courtesy of WebsEdgeSociety and YouTube.)

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our keynote speaker TSA Administrator David Pekoske delivered a moving and timely address on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel, and more (Be sure to see Interview.)
TSA Administrator David Pekoske addressing attendees at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon in New York City on November 17, 2021. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Our keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Commissioner Bill Bratton signing copies of his latest work, ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon. (Be sure to see AST Exclusive Interview with Comm Bratton, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan HERE.)

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI SystemsAttivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

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AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

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Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

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