GTSC’s Homeland Security Today was proud to honor the Human Trafficking Unit of Miami International Airport with the Most Innovative Campaign to Counter Human Trafficking Award during its 2024 National Homeland Security Awards, celebrated in December 2024.
The Miami International Airport Human Trafficking Unit (MIA-HTU) began its journey in 2017 with “Operation Renegade,” the first Customs and Border Protection (CBP) human trafficking unit, initially focused on combating sex trafficking in the South Florida region. The operation quickly demonstrated its impact, becoming an official pilot program. It later expanded in 2020 to address labor trafficking and child exploitation. This evolution marked MIA as CBP’s first official Human Trafficking Unit, broadening its scope and reinforcing CBP’s role in countering these critical threats.
Over the years, MIA-HTU’s work revealed the far-reaching impact of human trafficking and child exploitation, motivating the team to share its expertise and methods on a national level. The unit recognized that CBP’s capabilities in countering trafficking could benefit ports across the United States, driving the team to create a platform for nationwide collaboration and knowledge sharing.
In October 2023, MIA-HTU took a bold step toward making this goal a reality, overcoming budget constraints and logistical hurdles to organize the first-ever CBP Human Trafficking Symposium. Through innovative funding solutions, resourceful planning, and efficient coordination, the symposium brought together CBP personnel from all field offices, as well as representatives from the National Targeting Center (NTC), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Office of Chief Counsel, CBP clinicians, local law enforcement, and noon-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Operation Underground Railroad and Libertas International.
The symposium featured a moving address from a survivor of child exploitation, whose story underscored the profound impact of MIA-HTU’s work and the importance of this shared mission. This powerful gathering fostered a unified approach to combating human trafficking, showcasing the techniques and best practices that are now being implemented across CBP.
As of August 2024, nine human trafficking units operated within CBP, with more ports expressing interest in joining the fight following the success of the Florida Human Trafficking Symposium. This landmark event was instrumental in strengthening CBP’s anti-trafficking efforts, proving that – through collaboration, resourcefulness, and shared dedication – CBP can save more lives and bring criminal organizations to justice. The symposium stands as a testament to MIA-HTU’s leadership and vision, setting a benchmark for future CBP initiatives in the fight against human trafficking.