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HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 22
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert
A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE
EXTENT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NEW MEXICO AND TO MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS.
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a serious problem in the
United States and throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable and
turn a commercial profit at the expense of innocent lives; and
WHEREAS, victims of trafficking are recruited, transported
or sold into all forms of forced labor and servitude, including
prostitution, sweatshops, domestic service and farming; and
WHEREAS, each year an estimated six hundred thousand to
eight hundred thousand women, men and children are trafficked
across international borders, fourteen thousand five hundred to
seventeen thousand five hundred of whom are trafficked into the
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United States; and
WHEREAS, approximately eighty percent of trafficking
victims are female and many are trafficked for sex and the
commercial sex industry; and
WHEREAS, the southwest border continues to serve as the
biggest point of illegal entry into the United States, largely
because traffickers are able to get undocumented people across
without documents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of public safety be
requested to assemble and chair a task force to assess the
nature and extent of human trafficking in New Mexico, to assess
state responses to date and to make recommendations to the
legislature for development of state law to prosecute
traffickers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of a
representative of the attorney general's office; the United
States attorney's office; the labor department; the department
of health; and the children, youth and families department; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force study the
nature and extent of human trafficking in this state;
investigate collaborative models for protecting victims of
trafficking; measure and evaluate New Mexico's progress in
preventing trafficking, assisting victims of trafficking and
prosecuting traffickers; evaluate approaches by other state and
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.164020.2
local governments to increase public awareness of human
trafficking; and analyze existing laws dealing with
trafficking; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force prepare a
report detailing its findings and recommendations, including
methods to address human trafficking and to provide a
coordinated system of support and assistance to its victims;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its
findings and recommendations to the governor and the
legislature by July 1, 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, the attorney general and the
secretary of public safety.
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