A Scourge Against Humanity: Addressing Human Trafficking at Mass Gatherings

Committee on Homeland Security

2025-12-17

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Source: Congress.gov

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Ms. Courtney Litvak
Okay, are you ready?  The Committee on Homeland Security Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States will come to order.  Without objection, the chair may declare the committee in recess at any point.  Without objection, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Luttrell, will be sitting on this panel.   A discussion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. McKenzie, the gentleman from California, Mr. Correa, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, are permitted to sit on the dais and ask the witnesses questions.   Purpose of today's hearing is to assess a threat of and efforts to combat human trafficking ahead of major events that will be held in the United States, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will begin in June.
So we have a very short timeframe to get our act together in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, along with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
I recognize myself for an opening statement
This is the third hearing of the Bipartisan Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States.  Task Force provides us a unique opportunity to evaluate the range of threats facing upcoming mass gathering events.  Most importantly, as I stated, FIFA World Cup, America's 250th anniversary.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
Over the past several months, we've examined historic   security incidents at major events, engage with federal law enforcement on emerging threats, such as malicious drone activities, which are one of the biggest threats.
We've held in-depth discussions with security leadership from FIFA and the Olympics.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
These discussions have informed our work to provide legislative solutions to protect these events and ensure   that they showcase American leadership.
In fact, the legislation this task force is working on to counter adversarial drones at these events recently passed in the House National Defense Authorization, which we're very pleased to see.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
I want to thank the White House for working with us to get that language in there and passed into law.
When we first established this ranking, Member Poe and I agreed that human trafficking associated with these events would be among the various challenges that need to be addressed.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
This is an issue that's near and dear to my heart.  I know it's near and dear to
ranking member's heart.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
It's one that's a very tragic story that we've seen up front, close and personal, and especially with Ms. Courtney Litvak, who I have had the honor to be associated with from her family to work, getting her appointed to the White House Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.   a person who experienced grave danger and abuse at the hands of these traffickers.
I know she has her personal story to tell, but I was so glad that God blessed us and saved her life and brought her home.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
Millions of people, though, will be subjected to forced labor and sexual abuse.   exploitation they are every day as we prepare to host the largest international sporting event in history.
It's essential that law enforcement advocacy groups   Industry partners and the federal government work together to disrupt trafficking operations to protect the most vulnerable amongst us.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
There are about an estimated 27.6 million people being trafficked worldwide.
That's an astounding number.  77% in forced labor, 23% in sex trafficking, and men and boys account for 57%.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
of victims, women and girls, were 43%.
It occurs every day in the United States and across the globe.  This crime remains hidden to a large extent.  The experiences of survivors are not told as often as they should.   Their courage in sharing their stories, like Ms. Litvak, often have helped law enforcement learn how to recognize signs of exploitation, internet intercepted criminal networks, and rescue victims.  I've been long committed to this cause.  We call it human slavery.   Back in 2017, I was proud to co-sponsor, or I'm sorry, to sponsor a bill which became law, and that was the congressional authorization of DHS's Blue Campaign.  This legislation has enabled the Department of Homeland Security
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
to properly coordinate anti-human trafficking activities and serve as a resource to state and local law enforcement to end human trafficking.
I don't think we're anywhere near ending human trafficking, though, unfortunately.  In 2020, I led legislation requiring U.S. Department of State to track and report   when and where traffickers applied for U.S. visas, and we denied those visas.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
This bill extended the U.S.
Advisory Council on Human Trafficking I talked about through 2025.
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Ms. Courtney Litvak
We'll have to reauthorize that to ensure survivors have a platform on that council to advise the president's interagency task force on policies to combat trafficking.   As I mentioned, we're delighted to have Courtney Litvak here and all of you between the Sheriff and the Hotel and Motel Association.  We rely on law enforcement to enforce justice.

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