Imagine being coerced into a situation where you must pay $1,000 a week, only to find out you cannot work legally. This was the reality for a woman who was deceived and forced into a horrific situation. Without a work permit, she faced an impossible predicament, compounded by the suggestion that she could sell her body to make ends meet. This chilling narrative highlights a grim reality faced by many women and children who cross the US border, only to be sexually exploited and violated before they even arrive. These children, who are coming into the US, often end up in labor and particularly sex trafficking within the vast cartel network that is established in the country. The flawed policies of the Biden/Harris administration, highlighted by the DEA’s “Operation Last Mile,” have exposed how these cartels operate freely on U.S. soil, allowing their networks to function openly and enabling this exploitation to persist unchecked.
The exploitation is staggering, with over 60% of women and children subjected to sexual violence as a form of payment and control by cartels. This is not just a border issue but a human rights crisis, exacerbated by failed policies and poor U.S. administration. The CBP One app, introduced by President Biden without congressional approval, has fueled illegal migration and raised significant concerns, particularly endangering women and children. The debate over a wall distracts from the real issue: the lack of effective immigration policy to protect vulnerable individuals.
Immigration policy must be enacted by Congress, yet there has been no significant reform across multiple presidential terms. Under the Trump administration, existing laws were enforced, prohibiting child trafficking and labor exploitation. However, current policies are failing to protect children, as evidenced by the alarming statistic brought to the forefront by, The Center of Immigration Studies, that 235,000 children are unaccounted for, with some reports suggesting the number could be as high as a quarter-million.
CBS’s reporting on the disappearance of these children, which aligns with conservative warnings, underscores the severity of the situation. The fact that multiple NFL stadium’s worth of children could be lost in the system is unacceptable. Every child matters, and the loss of even one is a tragedy in the eyes of God. Yet, we see Congress downplaying these numbers, failing to hold accountable those responsible for this humanitarian crisis.
The exploitation of migrant children extends beyond sexual abuse to include labor trafficking. Children are found working in dangerous conditions, sometimes leading to their deaths. Reports from reputable sources like The Guardian reveal that immigrant child laborers are being killed in US factories, with companies often escaping with minimal fines. These children, forced into labor by unscrupulous employers, suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and violent abuse.
The term “ghost children” is used by cartels to describe these exploited children, who have no records and blend into society unnoticed. This dehumanizing term reflects the harsh reality that no one is looking for them, making them easy prey for traffickers. The US government’s failure to implement DNA swabs at the border to trace and reunite these children with their families only exacerbates the problem.
American companies are complicit in this exploitation, benefiting from cheap labor sourced through abusive practices in other countries. Companies like Apple, Dell and Goggle make billions of dollars annually, often relying on subcontractors who employ child labor. This cycle of exploitation extends to the manufacturing of products we use daily, from electronics to clothing, with children working under inhumane conditions.
The root of this issue lies in the exploitation of the world’s poorest populations. Countries with decimated middle classes and rampant poverty provide a fertile ground for traffickers. These children have no advocates, no constitutional protections, and no stable environments, making them easy targets for exploitation. American consumers unwittingly support this system by purchasing products made with child labor, highlighting the need for greater awareness and ethical consumption.
We are called to engage actively in our communities, speak out against injustice, and advocate for policies that protect the vulnerable. This is not just a political issue; it is a moral imperative grounded in biblical principles of justice and compassion.
Our nation must return to the values that founded it, prioritizing the protection of all its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. We must hold our leaders accountable, push for policy reform, and support organizations dedicated to ending child exploitation. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment to justice can we hope to eradicate the scourge of child trafficking and labor exploitation from our society.
Jaco Booyens, is a seasoned abolitionist with over 25 years of experience, that leads the fight against human trafficking through his ministry at JBM. His sister, Ilonka Deaton, brings both personal experience as a survivor of sex trafficking and expertise in the field.