At a recent national policy summit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan shared a deeply emotional story that highlights the persistent threat of human trafficking in the United States. Homan recounted how ICE agents had rescued a 14-year-old girl who had been living with two adult men accused of trafficking her. The girl, who is now pregnant, is believed to have been forced into prostitution.
“Just two days ago, we rescued a 14-year-old girl—pregnant, after being exploited through trafficking,” Homan stated. “We’re doing everything in our power to support her both physically and emotionally.”
Homan, who is also a parent, reiterated the agency’s dedication to safeguarding children and other at-risk groups. “Regardless of how we’re portrayed at times, we genuinely care about these young victims,” he said.
He further pointed out the scale of the problem and ICE’s ongoing efforts to confront it. “This is a daily reality. We’re working tirelessly to stop it.”
Meanwhile, new data indicates a notable shift in border enforcement trends. The Department of Homeland Security reported a sharp decline in illegal border crossings and unauthorized entries. Officials cited a 93% reduction in daily encounters and a near-total, 99.99% drop in unlawful border activity, suggesting stricter immigration measures are having an effect.
Homan, who launched his career with the Border Patrol in 1984, emphasized that securing the nation’s borders is vital to national security. He noted the importance of knowing who is entering the country and for what reasons, as part of efforts to uphold safety and prevent criminal activity.
Beyond human trafficking and border control, the federal government has also announced the preliminary stages of a major enforcement operation. Plans are underway for a large-scale deportation initiative targeting undocumented individuals, particularly those with criminal backgrounds.
New executive directives are expected to bolster law enforcement resources and enhance collaboration between federal and local agencies, with the goal of promoting community safety and consistent enforcement of the law.
As the situation continues to unfold, officials stress that their chief focus remains on protecting the most vulnerable — especially children — while ensuring the nation’s security is upheld.
