AFPI Holds Ending Human Trafficking Roundtable

Washington, D.C.—The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) today hosted a roundtable event focused on Ending Human Trafficking, convening national leaders, law enforcement officials, and advocates to discuss policy solutions to end human trafficking, support victims and the vulnerable, and restore safety across the nation.

The event was led by Bob Unanue, AFPI Chair of America Combats Trafficking Initiative (ACT), who was joined by featured special guests:

• Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4)
• AFPI Vice Chair of America Combats Trafficking Initiative (ACT), Betsy Sheehy
• Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Lee Rizzuto
• Acting Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ronald Vitiello
• AFPI Homeland Security & Immigration Senior Fellow, Tony Pham
• Anti-trafficking activist and founder of Booyens Ministries, Pasto Jaco Booyens

Below are select quotes from today’s event:

Bob Unanue

• “We are all called by name. But in trafficking you lose your name, and even your humanity. You’re a commodity, not a person.”
• “[From 2021 to 2024], the US permitted the largest, sanctioned trafficking and exploitation operation in the world. 400,000 kids were trafficked here in that time, and the US government became the middleman.”
• “Thank God we have AFPI, people like Congressman Smith, and people like President Trump who will lead this country with our hearts and defeat this evil, which is on the rise.”

Congressman Chris Smith

• “There are so many in this world who are not safe, cherished, and free. At the top of that list are those who are victim to human trafficking.”
• “This President is a great leader and that has made such a tremendous difference. And AFPI is a source of firepower and the road map [for issues like border security and human trafficking].”

Betsy Sheehy

• “There is something wrong with a civilization that doesn't protect its most vulnerable and innocent citizens.”

Ambassador Lee Rizutto

• “The America First approach, is to make clear that ending human trafficking isn’t a secondary issue for the US, it’s a primary issue.”

Ronald Vitiello

• “We have to codify our border policies into law so that people cannot abuse the refugee and asylum system in the United States. We don’t want the cartels, traffickers, and organized smugglers to abuse our generous immigration system.”

Tony Pham

• “The policy decisions of the Trump administration focused on physical barriers, enhancing personnel at the border, reimplementing mandatory detention which functions as a deterrent, and ending catch and release policies. This shocked the system [of illegal immigration and human trafficking].”

Pastor Jaco Booyens

• “Every American should understand your Christian citizenship and your American citizenship mandates that you lock arms [with victims and those helping them].”

Human trafficking is one of the most urgent human rights crises facing our nation today, and a direct assault on the liberty and dignity that define the American experience. With our southern border now successfully closed, AFPI remains focused on confronting the human toll caused by the previous administration’s failures while holding traffickers accountable and returning safety and justice to American communities.

Ending the scourge of human trafficking is an America First priority. Learn more here.