WPBN: Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator from Tennessee, has reintroduced a comprehensive package of four legislation with the intention of preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children.
In addition to the SAVE Girls Act, the National Human Trafficking Database Act, the End Child Trafficking Now Act, and the PRINTS Act are the legislative initiatives that have been proposed.
“Human trafficking is a vile crime, and we need to do everything in our power to deter criminals and trafficking rings from preying on innocent men, women, and children,” Senator Blackburn stated. “These bills would establish a national human trafficking database, authorize additional funding to prevent trafficking, combat child recycling at the border, and prevent traffickers from smuggling children across the border by requiring a DNA test to determine the relationship of accompanying children.”
The SAVE Girls Act aims to prevent the exploitation, abuse, and victimization of girls.
- Goal: Offers vital tools to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to help them fight against the trafficking of young women and girls.
- Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are co-sponsors.
- Highlights: Provides funds for anti-trafficking education initiatives, victim support services, and prevention.
The National Human Trafficking Database Act
- The goal is to encourage state law enforcement agencies to disclose trafficking information and create a national database on human trafficking under the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.
- Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is a co-sponsor.
- Background: Motivated by Tennessee’s effective state-level data collection initiative, which was carried out in partnership with Engage Together, an anti-human trafficking group, and Belmont University.
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End Child Trafficking Now Act
In order to verify the connection between undocumented immigrants and accompanying children at the border, DNA testing is necessary.
- Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) are co-sponsors.
- Goal: Stop child trafficking by making it impossible for traffickers to pretend to be guardians of children.
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The Trafficking Suspension (PRINTS) Act Requires Immigrants to Not Recycle
- In order to prevent human trafficking and child recycling, it gives U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) permission to take fingerprints of non-citizens under the age of 14.
- Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) are co-sponsors.
- Impact: Makes identification procedures stronger to stop child trafficking organizations from repeatedly abusing children.
The package shows that lawmakers from both parties have worked together to confront the growing problem of human trafficking. Senator Blackburn underlined how crucial it is to use data and resources to break up trafficking networks and assist survivors.
Thousands of cases of human trafficking are reported each year, making it a serious problem.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, traffickers frequently use gaps in immigration and border security procedures to conduct their business. The goal of Senator Blackburn’s proposed legislation is to bridge these gaps and give communities and law enforcement strong tools.
Advocates expect that bipartisan support will hasten the bill package’s adoption as it now moves to the Senate for consideration. Senator Blackburn came to the conclusion that “this is about saving lives and protecting our communities.”
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