Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced the delivery of $1,000,000 to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) for the development of a human trafficking research program.

Dr. Cuellar previously secured the Congressionally-directed funding in the FY23 Appropriations bill to support evidence-based training for health care workers and educators likely to encounter human trafficking victims. Given that Laredo is a location where local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies converge to secure our border and protect our community, TAMIU is an ideal venue to analyze diverse issues and factors that contribute to international and domestic cases of human trafficking.

“A human trafficking research program at TAMIU is essential to support the current and future success of law enforcement, health care workers, and trade in Laredo,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That’s why I was eager to secure $1,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding for this program in FY23. This research will help reduce the amount of human trafficking that comes into the United States through our land ports of entry while tackling the consequences of the human trafficking industry. Thank you to John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President of TAMIU, and Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, for working with me to bring this critical project to fruition.”

“The Texas A&M University System is proud that Texas A&M International University is taking the lead in dealing with the very real tragedy of human trafficking,” said John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “None of this would be possible, however, without the help of our friend and alumnus, Congressman Henry Cuellar.”

“Universities are many things:  places to learn, places to better ourselves and, through research, places that help drive solutions to our world’s problems. That’s why this research center, is so important.  Daily, we see the challenge of human trafficking for this congressional district and beyond. This new Center is uniquely positioned to conduct data-driven investigation and research that leverages our location, strong research profile, relationships with law enforcement agencies, expertise in international commerce and health issues.  We’re grateful to Congressman Cuellar and Chancellor Sharp for their keen support in driving this initiative forward and proud to marshal our resources and talents to help address this insidious evil,” said Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU President.

“For over 15 years, my research has focused on the lasting ramifications of human trafficking and has revealed that a multidisciplinary, data-driven approach that combines frontline border law agency and health care provider insights can best drive the most effective response. Working together, we will create a curriculum to empower future educators and health care workers to be community catalysts in identifying victims and stem the tide of human trafficking. Bottom line: it’s everyone’s responsibility to help combat human trafficking. The Center for Countering Human Trafficking will lead that charge,” said Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Center’s Principal Investigator.

The evidence-based curricula at TAMIU will also allow students, under faculty supervision, to participate in collecting information/intelligence about human trafficking from multiple outlets and sources, such as ICE, which will subsequently inform future research and evidence-based practices. The $1,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding will be used to conduct outreach to local law-enforcement and community health providers, support faculty-led data analysis, purchase necessary technology, and fund research-informed instructional design and curriculum materials.

Human trafficking is one of the most profitable and prevalent transnational crimes. According to the U.S. Department of State, human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion industry. Those profits often pass through legitimate financial institutions or are used by traffickers to purchase real property or other personal assets.

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