The Trump administration significantly reduced the staff of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, with approximately half of the remaining workers being fired or demoted on July 18. This move came despite bipartisan support for anti-trafficking efforts and prior focus on the issue during the administration’s first term. The cuts have also been met with disappointment within the office, especially since the former president has backtracked on releasing evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The reductions were a surprise, particularly given the previous interest from the administration and its earlier focus on combating human trafficking.
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This report details the Vatican’s practice of sending thousands of Italian children born to unwed mothers to America under the guise of orphan visas during the mid-20th century. Many of these children were not orphans, and their mothers, often pressured or misled by the Church, were unaware of their children’s adoptions. The Church, driven by financial gain and demand from American Catholic families, sometimes even told mothers their children had died. This resulted in the pain and separation of families, as many adoptees later struggled to reunite with their birth mothers, some of whom are still dealing with the aftereffects of the program.
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Recent reports suggest that ICE investigations teams are shifting their focus from drug and human trafficking cases towards deportations to meet aggressive quotas set by the Trump administration. These high quotas, including demands for thousands of arrests daily, have been interpreted by agents as the primary reason for the shift, leading to a decline in investigations of other crimes. As a result, morale among ICE agents has reportedly suffered, as they struggle to meet the administration’s targets. The administration has already increased deportation flights and is making plans for additional detention centers, further straining the agency’s resources.
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A recent study conducted by the University of South Florida revealed over 700,000 individuals fell victim to human trafficking in Florida last year, with approximately 100,000 of these victims being children targeted for sex trafficking. The report analyzed data from numerous sources to paint a concerning picture of the crime’s prevalence, particularly among undocumented migrants and those in industries with poor conditions. The study, commissioned by the state, aims to inform anti-trafficking efforts and assess the effectiveness of current initiatives, while also acknowledging the complex challenges law enforcement and service providers face in combating this pervasive crime.
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According to the article, the sexcam industry in Colombia is booming, with studios often recruiting underage girls to stream sexually explicit content. Many of these young models, motivated by financial hardship, are lured by the promise of easy money but often face exploitation. Studios reportedly circumvent age verification protocols by using recycled accounts or providing fake IDs. Despite platform efforts to prevent underage participation, abuse and coercion persist, with some models pressured into performing acts they are uncomfortable with and receiving minimal pay.
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US Marshals operation leads to recovery or location of 60 critically missing children in Florida. This is the headline that’s got everyone talking, and honestly, it’s a lot to process. My first thought was pure relief. Sixty children, brought back from potentially dangerous situations. That’s undoubtedly a positive outcome. But the more I think about it, the more questions bubble to the surface.
What does “critically missing” actually mean? It’s a term the US Marshals use, and it suggests that these children were at risk of violence or facing other serious issues like substance abuse, exploitation, or domestic violence. It highlights the urgency of the situation, which makes the success of this operation even more important.… Continue reading
The Trump administration’s cuts to U.S. foreign aid, particularly funding to the World Food Programme, have led to dire consequences in several countries. In Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp, where food rations have been reduced by a third, officials reported an increase in crime, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Similar cuts in Kenya led to violent protests and a dramatic reduction in food rations, with aid workers anticipating a malnutrition crisis. These actions, part of a larger dismantling of USAID, have prompted urgent warnings from U.S. officials about the destabilizing impact on vulnerable populations and potential threats to U.S. national security.
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A multi-agency operation in Northeast Florida successfully recovered over two dozen missing children, aged 7-17, some missing for over a year. The operation, a first of its kind in Florida, involved over 30 local, state, and federal agencies, leveraging collective expertise to locate children who had run away or were victims of trafficking. Focus was placed not only on finding the children but also on providing support and resources for their future. Investigations are ongoing to determine if sex or human trafficking was involved in any of the cases.
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Following a tip, High Point, North Carolina police located a 15-year-old girl missing from Reading, Pennsylvania since June 2024, at the North Carolina home of 32-year-old Joseph A. Rossomando. A subsequent search warrant uncovered child sexual abuse material, leading to Rossomando’s arrest. He faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, human trafficking, statutory rape, and sexual exploitation of a minor. The discovery shocked neighbors, highlighting concerns about community safety.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported from Maryland, has been returned to the U.S. to face federal charges. A federal grand jury indicted him for conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, allegedly as part of a larger ring trafficking drugs, weapons, and people, including children and women. The indictment also alleges his involvement with MS-13 and abuse of women during transport. His return follows a court order and months after the Trump administration acknowledged the deportation error.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood