Texas is leading the nation in human trafficking, as a 2019 report from the Human Trafficking Institute reports there were 74 criminal cases of human trafficking in Texas in 2018. Of the state’s cases, the report states 68 involved sex trafficking.
“Texas is the number one human trafficking state in the U.S. because of the unimpeded invasion across our border. This is unacceptable, where is the severe response from our officials?” gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines told the Lone Star Standard.
According to a report by KXXV, Dallas authorities confirmed that they arrested two women on charges of human trafficking and compelling prostitution on Jan. 31, after two victims came forward. At that time, authorities found five women and girls who had been held against their will.
“We must end this scourge on our state," Huffines said. "When I am governor, I will create a special task force to crack down on human trafficking in Texas."
These recent accounts of human trafficking in the state are not isolated incidents. A 2016 report from the University of Texas estimated that there were 300,000 victims, including 79,000 children, of human trafficking in the state.
Between 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States every year, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Gov. Greg Abbott, elected in 2014, is the 48th Governor of Texas. Before becoming governor, Abbott was the longest-serving attorney general of the state.
Huffines is one of several challenging Abbott in the March 1 GOP gubernatorial primary. Other GOP candidates include former Florida Congressman and Texas GOP Chairman Allen West, and media personality Chad Prather.
On the other side of the aisle, former El Paso City Council member and U.S. Congressman Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke leads the field for the Democratic nomination. O'Rourke previously mounted unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and president.
Huffines is the CEO of Huffines Communities, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based real estate development firm. From 2015 to 2019 Huffines served in the Texas Senate, representing the 16th Senate District.
