Advocates back Ramirez amendment to add legal staff for human‑trafficking enforcement

Representatives from Elijah Rising and neighborhood residents urged the Houston City Council on June 3 to support a proposed budget amendment to fund legal staff dedicated to human‑trafficking enforcement.

Tom Broyles, representing Elijah Rising, said his nonprofit has tracked illicit massage businesses and asked council to back Council Member Abraham Ramirez’s amendment to fund two attorneys and one paralegal “to fight nuisance and human trafficking.” Broyles said Houston has more illicit massage businesses than McDonald’s and Starbucks combined and described trafficking as a local public‑safety and public‑health crisis.

Council Member Ramirez thanked Broyles and said she would modify the proposed amendment to change the funding source from human‑resources allocations to the general‑fund balance after discussing options with the administration. “This is a small step to try to turn things around in Houston,” Ramirez said, adding the amendment addresses enforcement and related violations.

Speakers who supported the amendment emphasized education and coordination: Crystal Casey described van tours that identified trafficking locations within walking distance of her home and said Elijah Rising had offered training for public‑works staff so they could spot warning signs. Laura Gallier and others thanked Ramirez for the amendment and urged that the city expand public‑education and interagency coordination ahead of large events such as the World Cup.

Why it matters: Advocates told council that targeted legal capacity could help process complaints and take down illicit enterprises that exploit women and children and that enforcement without community education would be less effective.

What’s next: Ramirez announced the funding‑source change at the meeting; council was scheduled to consider budget amendments the following morning.