Florida AG Warns of Human Trafficking Risk During FIFA World Cup
Florida AG James Uthmeier warned of surging human trafficking risks as up to one million visitors descend on Miami for the FIFA World Cup — and prosecutors say arrests are already mounting.
MIAMI, FLORIDA — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined a coalition of state, federal, and private partners Tuesday to warn residents and visitors of an elevated human trafficking threat as the FIFA World Cup draws up to one million visitors to the greater Miami area alone.
The warning came one day after Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium hosted its first World Cup match, Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia. Six more matches are scheduled at the venue, with the final game, the third-place match, set for July 18.
Florida Among Top Locations for Human Trafficking Worldwide
Uthmeier spoke at a press conference held at Florida International University, where he described Florida’s persistent vulnerability to human trafficking.
“We are still ranked very high when it comes to top locations for human trafficking, not just in the country, but in the world,” Uthmeier said. He attributed the challenge to the state’s characteristics rather than any failure of law enforcement.
“We have a big economy, we have a lot of international traffic, very large coastline, tons of professional sporting events, entertainment — you name it. It’s naturally going to be a challenge,” Uthmeier continued. “We have got to do better.”
More than 50 partners across the business and private sectors have joined a statewide anti-human trafficking alliance, according to Uthmeier. The coalition includes ride-share companies, law enforcement partners, and retailers. Starbucks pledged $1 million to the effort.
Undercover Operations Already Producing Arrests
Miami-Dade State Attorney Fernandez Rundle told attendees that her office has “doubled and tripled” the number of undercover operations targeting human trafficking during the World Cup period. “Which means we’re going to be flooding hotels and restaurants, we’re going to be flooding all of the service providers,” she said.
Since March, those operations have resulted in 100 arrests and 178 charges across 19 undercover stings, Rundle reported. One recent operation conducted with Homestead police led to the arrest of 13 men who attempted to purchase sex from girls between the ages of 13 and 15.
$105 Million in Federal Security Funding Deployed
State leaders approved $105 million in federal funding for World Cup security in April, according to the Florida Phoenix. That total includes $89.1 million allocated to the Florida Division of Emergency Management and $16.2 million directed to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Officials urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious activity by calling 305-FIX-STOP, the anti-human trafficking hotline for the region.
