Texas Wants More Human Trafficking Cases Prosecuted
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AUSTIN (AP) - Texas wants more human traffickers prosecuted in the state's latest attempt to put a dent into one of the biggest smuggling hotspots in the U.S.
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday that a new team of prosecutors will work solely on getting convictions in trafficking cases. Lawmakers ordered the unit as part of sweeping border security bill last year that spent $800 million on additional manpower and artillery.
Houston led the nation in trafficking victims last year, according to the Polaris Project, a national advocacy group. More than 300 trafficking cases were reported statewide in 2015.
Lawmakers have previously tried simplifying the law to encourage more trafficking convictions. The new unit is designed to bring cases in smaller counties and not larger areas like Dallas or Houston.
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