There are massive alt causes to human trafficking that the AFF world can’t overcome---regional cooperation is necessary to solve.

Policy Review: Vol. 9, Article 4, 2017, - SDP

Third, awareness must be raised in both countries, especially along the borders, because increasing education is an effective and cost-efficient method to reducing vulnerability to trafficking. There should be a comprehensive, compulsory curriculum in both the U.S. and Mexico on human trafficking which can be taught annually in schools. This will decrease human trafficking because students will be knowledgeable of scams that lead to trafficking and thus will be better equipped to identify possible trafficking victims if ever needed. In the U.S., children need to be aware of what trafficking is and how to identify victims, especially in the border states. As such, the curriculum should include the basics on human trafficking, how to identify human trafficking victims, and the correct response to witnessing a situation of human trafficking. In Mexico, a curriculum on the various scam methods and dangers of trafficking is vital. This curriculum should also include how to identify victims and what to do in situations of witnessing a potential case of trafficking. Akin to the previous two portions of the recommendation, the third upholds the three criteria as well. It protects vulnerable persons through education, and it increases cases of identification of victims. It can be “enforced” and it would not be overly difficult to implement once a standard curriculum was agreed upon. Finally, this part of the recommendation would not intensify other issues between the U.S. and Mexico.

A recommendation that would completely solve human trafficking is impossible due to the complexity of the issue and the vast array of factors contributing to it. Even so, this recommendation is both feasible and can significantly reduce the number of women and children trafficked into the U.S. annually from Mexico. By improving and increasing cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico, establishing consistent law enforcement mechanisms, and increasing awareness through education of the youth in both countries, the number of trafficking victims could significantly decrease. It is imperative to make changes to policies in both countries to protect vulnerable persons. This is not an issue that we should only work on once the war on drugs is over or U.S. immigration policy is reformed. It is an issue that deserves our attention today. As mentioned in Ugarte and Zarate’s work, prostitution and human trafficking allows for people to have access to sex whenever they please (Ugarte & Laura Zarate, 2008). However, sex is not a right and the U.S. and Mexico need to remember this when making policies about human trafficking. This issue demands immediate attention to protect women and children from being trapped in situations of sexual exploitation. With these recommendations, human trafficking between Mexico and the U.S. can significantly decline.