Human Smuggling

Human smuggling and human trafficking are two distinct but related crimes. Human smuggling involves the illegal transportation of individuals across international borders, often for the purpose of bypassing immigration laws. Human trafficking, on the other hand, involves the exploitation of individuals for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.

There are several key differences between human smuggling and human trafficking. Here are some of the main differences:

  • Consent: In human smuggling, the individuals being transported have consented to being smuggled, whereas in human trafficking, the individuals have not consented to being exploited.
  • Purpose: In human smuggling, the purpose is to transport individuals across international borders, whereas in human trafficking, the purpose is to exploit individuals for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.
  • Control: In human smuggling, the individuals being transported retain some control over their situation, whereas in human trafficking, the traffickers exercise complete control over their victims.
  • Remuneration: In human smuggling, the individuals being transported often pay for the smuggling services, whereas in human trafficking, the victims do not receive any remuneration for their exploitation.

Overall, human smuggling and human trafficking are two different crimes with different purposes and effects. It is important to understand the differences between these crimes in order to effectively combat them.

15-year-old human trafficking suspect and 7 undocumented immigrants flee Texas cops
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15-year-old human trafficking suspect and 7 undocumented immigrants flee Texas cops

A 15-year-old Mexican boy driving a sedan packed with seven undocumented immigrants led Texas police on a high-speed chase before all the suspects got out of the car and made a run for freedom, authorities said. Dashcam footage released by authorities on Saturday showed the dramatic pursuit, which ended on a dirt road less than…

FACT SHEET: President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
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FACT SHEET: President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Today, the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) met for the second time in the Biden-Harris Administration.  A member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking also joined the meeting and spoke about the Council’s 2022 report, which includes insights and recommendations for how the Federal Government can…

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thanks Tony. Good afternoon everyone. The horrors of human trafficking are well known to this group. At the Justice Department, we are committed to combating this heinous crime from every angle. This includes bringing traffickers to justice and vindicating the rights of victims and survivors. We are expanding our capacity…

Multiple human smuggling attempts stopped in El Paso Sector
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Multiple human smuggling attempts stopped in El Paso Sector

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported Friday that numerous human trafficking operations have been disrupted in the El Paso Sector. According to a Department of Homeland Security press release, 56 human smuggling events have been stopped in the past week alone, resulting in the apprehension of over 300 smuggled migrants. The…

UN Detects Fewer Persons Trafficked, According to New Report – The Epoch Times
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UN Detects Fewer Persons Trafficked, According to New Report – The Epoch Times

According to the United Nations Global Report on Trafficking in Persons for 2022, the number of people detected as trafficked dropped by 11 percent last year. While this is the first decline in 20 years, one of the report’s authors said it isn’t necessarily a cause for celebration. “We have not really seen a decrease…

Tech Doc: The health issues of human trafficking
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Tech Doc: The health issues of human trafficking

By Julie St. John According to estimates, approximately 27.6 million people around the world are living as victims of human trafficking. Many of us often associate human trafficking with the semi-trucks and other large vehicles that are occasionally caught crossing borders with large numbers of people crammed inside. However, that is human smuggling, and most…

'Working like a slave': Why human trafficking in restaurants is underreported – WGBH
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'Working like a slave': Why human trafficking in restaurants is underreported – WGBH

Working in Boston-area restaurants over the last 15 years, Billy often felt like a slave. He was caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle of labor and exploitation, striving to pay off debts, sick from stress and overwork, terrified about being turned over to immigration officials. The 41-year-old Salvadoran immigrant said he started his first restaurant…

Rachael Rollins on first year, her own investigations and priorities – Boston Herald
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Rachael Rollins on first year, her own investigations and priorities – Boston Herald

U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said she wants to keep a focus on beefing up anti-human-trafficking efforts — and hopes the investigations into her political actions don’t slow the office down. Rollins, now approaching a year into her tenure as the top federal prosecutor in the state, brought in the press corps for an hour-long roundtable…

Florida Lt. Governor Discusses Human & Drug Trafficking Prevention Efforts
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Florida Lt. Governor Discusses Human & Drug Trafficking Prevention Efforts

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and the Florida Highway Patrol recently hosted a roundtable discussion with law enforcement leaders about efforts to combat human trafficking. At the roundtable, law enforcement officers and sheriffs from Citrus, Pasco, Sumter, and Hernando counties joined together to discuss the importance of tracking down human traffickers and holding them accountable for…