Texas Representative Lance Gooden has introduced the "End Child Trafficking Now Act," aiming to curb the exploitation of minors at the southern border. This legislation mandates DNA testing to verify familial relationships between undocumented adults and accompanying children when documentation or witnesses are unavailable. This measure seeks to address a critical vulnerability in border security, as children are sometimes used by traffickers to bypass immigration processes.
Gooden emphasized the urgent need to protect vulnerable children, stating, "The exploitation of underage aliens by human traffickers is a horrific consequence of the border crisis. This bill will prevent children from being used as 'skip the line' tickets by cartels." With over 81,000 unaccompanied minors encountered at the border this fiscal year, the bill seeks to reinstate DNA testing practices previously used during the Trump administration.
The surge in human trafficking, with a 193% increase in victims between 2020 and 2021, underscores the urgency of this legislation. Senator Marsha Blackburn will reintroduce a companion bill in the Senate, originally proposed in 2019, which includes penalties for fabricating family ties and criminalizes "child recycling."
Blackburn highlighted the importance of DNA testing as a crucial tool for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), stating, "It's one of the few ways we can prevent human trafficking and ensure children aren't used as pawns to gain illegal entry." Former Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker echoed this sentiment, noting that the prospect of DNA testing would deter those attempting to exploit the system. He added that the Flores Settlement, while intended to protect minors, has created challenges in implementing effective border policies due to the time constraints it imposes.
Concerns have been raised about the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) ability to track minors after their release, leaving them vulnerable to trafficking and dangerous labor practices. A recent New York Times investigation revealed migrant children working in hazardous conditions, violating child labor laws, despite warnings reportedly ignored by the Biden administration. In response to these concerns, the White House allocated $14 million in December to bolster the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
