While human trafficking is a serious crime that does occur in the U.S., being aware of the warning signs helps you stay safe and protect others. Most international visitors will have safe, positive experiences, but knowing what to watch for is an important part of personal safety awareness.
Things to Look Out For:
- Situations where someone else controls a person’s identification documents like their passport, ID, or visa
- Individuals that aren’t allowed to speak for themselves and seem afraid to do so
- Signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or untreated medical issues
- People who aren’t free to come and go as they please or have obvious restrictions on their movement
- Those who work excessively long hours with little or no pay
- Those who appear fearful, anxious, or submissive around certain individuals
- Someone who doesn’t know their current address or location, isn’t allowed to keep their earnings or has no access to their own money
- If a person consistently speaks for someone else or closely monitors their conversations
If you notice these warning signs, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (available 24/7, confidential, multilingual), text “HELP” to 233733, or contact local law enforcement and InterExchange immediately.
