Rep. Cuellar, Chancellor Sharp Announce New TAMIU Center to Counter Human Trafficking

Texas A&M International University ushered in its new Center to Counter Human Trafficking with two of the Center’s stalwart champions:  Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) who secured the $1 million to develop the human trafficking research program, and Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.  

“A human trafficking research program at TAMIU is essential to support the current and future success of law enforcement, health care workers, and trade in Laredo,” said Cong. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, “That’s why I was eager to secure $1,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding for this program in FY23. This research will help reduce the amount of human trafficking that comes into the United States through our land ports of entry while tackling the consequences of the human trafficking industry. Thank you to John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President of TAMIU, and Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, for working with me to bring this critical project to fruition.

“Given that Laredo is a location where local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies converge to secure our border and protect our community, TAMIU is an ideal venue to analyze diverse issues and factors that contribute to international and domestic cases of human trafficking,” Cong. Cuellar added.

Chancellor Sharp noted the pride the A&M System has in the new Center and the partnership of Cong. Cuellar.

“The Texas A&M University System is proud that Texas A&M International University is taking the lead in dealing with the very real tragedy of human trafficking,” Chancellor Sharp said, “None of this would be possible, however, without the help of our friend and TAMIU alumnus, Congressman Henry Cuellar.” 

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the Center leverages some of TAMIU’s greatest strengths. 

“Universities are many things:  places to learn, places to better ourselves and, through research, places that drive solutions to our world’s problems. That’s why this research center is so important.  Daily, we see the challenge of human trafficking for this congressional district and beyond. This new Center is uniquely positioned to conduct data-driven investigation and research that leverages our location, strong research profile, relationships with law enforcement agencies, and expertise in international commerce and health issues.  We’re grateful to Congressman Cuellar and Chancellor Sharp for their keen support in driving this initiative forward and proud to marshal our resources and talents to help address this insidious evil,” said Dr. Arenaz.

The Center’s establishment has been especially meaningful for TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Claudia San Miguel, who also serves as the Center’s Principal Investigator.

“For over 20 years, my research has focused on the lasting ramifications of human trafficking and has revealed that a multidisciplinary, data-driven approach that combines frontline border law agency and health care provider insights can best drive the most effective response. Working together, we will create a curriculum to empower future educators and healthcare workers to be community catalysts in identifying victims and stemming the tide of human trafficking. Bottom line: it’s everyone’s responsibility to help combat human trafficking. The Center to Counter Human Trafficking will lead that charge,” said Dr. San Miguel said.

Helping to tell the Center’s mission and story at Wednesday’s ceremony was Program Manager Isaac Kimmel, who introduced members of the Center’s Advisory Board, Iris Resendez, Director of Coordinated Anti-Trafficking and Strategy for BCFS Health and Human Services; Sister Rosemary Welsh,  Executive Director of Casa Misericordia and Director of Outreach Services at Mercy Clinic, and Claudia C. Dovalina-Guzman, Executive Director of Communities in Schools.

The evidence-based curricula at TAMIU will also allow students, under faculty supervision, to participate in collecting information/intelligence about human trafficking from multiple outlets and sources, such as ICE, which will subsequently inform future research and evidence-based practices. The $1,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding will be used to conduct outreach to local law enforcement and community health providers, support faculty-led data analysis, purchase necessary technology, and fund research-informed instructional design and curriculum materials.

Human trafficking is one of the most profitable and prevalent transnational crimes. According to the U.S. Department of State, human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion industry. Those profits often pass through legitimate financial institutions or are used by traffickers to purchase real property or other personal assets.

For additional information on TAMIU’s Center to Counter Human Trafficking, visit its dedicated website at  https://go.tamiu.edu/ccht, email Isaac Kimmel, Program Manager at isaac.kimmel@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.4980.

More of the University’s story is shared at tamiu.edu and on TAMIU’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter-X, and YouTube.