WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) led 22 House Democrats in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding the full restoration of staffing and funding to anti-trafficking divisions with DHS and the Department of Justice following reports that resources, including agents, prosecutors, and grant funds, have been diverted to immigration enforcement efforts.

"When federal agencies shift personnel and funding away from anti-trafficking efforts, they leave entire communities vulnerable and abandon the very children the federal government is sworn to protect. The United States cannot claim to be serious about ending human trafficking while simultaneously dismantling the infrastructure built to fight it," wrote the lawmakers.

"Furthermore, withholding records about trafficking networks and enablers, including the Epstein files that were fought to keep sealed, damages trust in institutions meant to deliver justice…Transparency is vital to protect children from child predators," continued the lawmakers.

"The protection of children from trafficking and exploitation must never be subordinated to political agendas or shifting enforcement priorities…Every day that resources are pulled from this fight, more children are at risk. We cannot and will not accept complacency in the face of such profound human suffering," concluded the lawmakers.

The full letter can be viewed here.

In addition to Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove, the letter is signed by Reps. Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Jim Costa, Jasmine Crockett, Madeleine Dean, Chris Deluzio, Cleo Fields, Sylvia Garcia, Dan Goldman, Jonathan Jackson, Henry Johnson, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Teresa Leger Fernández, Ted Lieu, Sarah McBride, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Dina Titus, Norma Torres, and Nikema Williams.

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