Lawmakers Urged to Penalize Trafficking Businesses
Update, Sept. 25, 2:20 p.m.:
HOUSTON — Despite years of efforts to crack down on human trafficking in Texas, the problem persists, lawmakers and advocates said at a hearing Tuesday where legislators were urged to increase civil penalties for trafficking businesses.
Pimps still operate with little pressure, said state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston. "There are three or four books on how to be a pimp,” Thompson said. “If you think I'm kidding, go to Amazon.com."
Changes to civil codes, as opposed to criminal statutes, will be part of the next step as Texas lawmakers tackle human trafficking ...
Comments (4)
Janet Thomas
All of this hand wringing from our elected officials who turn a blind eye to illegal immigration. February, 2011, a sex trafficking was bustef in E. Houston. Over the years hundreds of girls from south or the border were trafficked into the U.S. and forced into prostitution. The girls came voluntarily, knowng they were entering the U.S. illegally, thinking they were going to find good jobs when they arrived, instead they endured a life of hell. But all of these elected officials who voted against the anti-sanctuary city bill in Austin last year are are now trying to figure out what to do about the trafficking situation. Until the borders are closed, until there are harsh penalties for entering this country and until there are harsh penalties for employers who employ illegals, trafficking will thrive and we will have more girls forced into prostitution once they arrive and more workers forced to work in horrible conditions, cheated out of their pay and further deteriorating the fabric of this country.
James Boren
The problem of human trafficking won't be solved until elected officials in Texas get the courage to do something about illegal immigration and sanctuary cities. The mayors and police chiefs of sanctuary cities should be arrested and perp walked to jail and state reps who vote against anti sanctuary city laws should be voted out of office.
Janet Thomas
James, you can blame the entire State Affairs Committee during the last session in Austin for refusing to pass the anti-sanctuary city legislation. In addition, you can hold Charles Butt (HEB), James Leninger (Promised Land Dairy), Bob Perry (Perry Homes), St. Steve Hotze (Hotze Wellness Clinic) and Norm Adams (Adams Insurance) for putting pressure on the politicians for not pass the legislation.
fwservo
Actually most of the hearing was related to domestic trafficking of minors. This is usually involves minors who run away from home or the child placement system.