Human trafficking continues to be a problem in the state. The National Human Trafficking Hotline had 350 reports from New Mexico in 2021, the most recent data available. It鈥檚 an issue that also intersects with the . Two organizations spoke with lawmakers last week about how they could help.
uses K-9 rescue dogs to search for missing persons on Native American tribal land, while offers courses to truckers to keep them informed of potential trafficking signs. They spoke to the Legislative Indian Affairs interim committee on Thursday.
Bernadine Beyale (Din茅) is executive director of 4Corners and was part of a state response team before starting her own nonprofit in 2022. Beyale said working on tribal lands has been more challenging.
鈥淲hen we were part of the state rescue team, we had more finds and more successes, meaning we found people alive because we were called faster in those situations, when someone went missing through the state,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut now that we're on tribal lands, I don't get those calls fast enough. We're getting them too late. We're getting them days, months, even years later.鈥�
Beyale said her organization relies on volunteers and raises its own money. She鈥檚 working with Truckers Against Trafficking, which plans to expand its outreach next year. Both groups told lawmakers they would like to see support from the state.
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) applauded the efforts.
鈥淭his is why we need to change the anti-donation laws in our state, because this is one of those areas that is so incredibly important, and it's saving lives directly,鈥� she said.
The state鈥檚 anti-donation clause prohibits state and local governments from giving funds to individuals or entities, including nonprofits.
Beyale said trafficking is often overlooked.
鈥淣o one really talks about it, and it's an area we do need to bring to light more, especially in our Four Corners area,鈥� she said.
Support for this coverage comes from the Thornburg Foundation.
