The longest international border in the continental United States runs along the Rio Grande and the rest of the southern boundary of Texas. Nearly every person in a Lone Star State border town has stories about people smuggling goods and other people past their homes to take advantage of the good life in Texas and the other states to the north.
Just as illegal immigration or re-entry to the country is of concern to the U.S. Border Patrol and the courts that adjudicate the offenders, human trafficking is a concern to law enforcement agencies all around Texas. Three hotel chains operating in the state have recently been sued for allowing prostitution by people illegally smuggled into the country, some allegedly against their will.
“Traffickers have long capitalized on the hotel industry’s refusal to adopt companywide anti-trafficking policies, refusal to train staff on what to look for and how to respond, and failure to establish a safe and secure reporting mechanism, and they have exploited the seclusion and privacy of hotel rooms,” according to the lawsuit.
Beyond this alleged attitude towards human trafficking, others may face criminal charges due to investigations of the causes. Truckers and ranchers may have unwitting assisted smugglers, often called “coyotes,” by crossing the border or failing to prevent a crossing. They deserve a solid criminal defense if they end up facing charges over these actions.
People accused of human trafficking and other charges related to the border with Mexico have the right to an attorney at any time. Legal representation may help disprove charges or gain a suspect’s freedom.