Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a recent exclusive interview with Fox News stated that the first thing to do in order to secure the U.S. border is to end human trafficking. As he revealed during the movie event last Tuesday, currently there are many children trafficked and brought into the country because they believe that the border is open. In 2021 the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received reports of more than 10,300 cases.
Last Tuesday, Congress members attended the screening of the movie “Sound of Freedom” which is focused on human trafficking both abroad and within the U.S. The film is based on former U.S. federal agent Tim Baland, who ten years ago started Operation Underground Railroad in order to help fight human trafficking after he rescued two children who were being exploited in South America.
Ballard during an interview with Fox News while at the screening revealed that the border policies in the U.S. work as an incentive for human traffickers as unaccompanied minors that enter the country can then be released to any individual. As he pointed out, this is a very dangerous practice.
Ballard also pointed out that a program established previously that required biometric verification procedures to be followed so that children could be released to others with familiar DNA ties to them ended under President Biden, as the contracts expired.
McCarthy in his interview touted the efforts of the GOP in passing a border security package in May which would start construction of the wall again and would change the laws dictating what happens in cases of unaccompanied minors. He added that the Senate should also take up that package.
