House Homeland Security task force hears survivor testimony, warns trafficking risks ahead of FIFA World Cup and Olympics

The House Committee on Homeland Security’s Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events held a hearing focused on the threat of human trafficking connected with large international gatherings, with witnesses urging federal, state and private‑sector partners to tighten prevention and enforcement.

Chairman Michael McCall opened the hearing by saying mass gatherings such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics present urgent security and trafficking risks and that the task force will pursue legislative and interagency solutions. McCall framed the issue as a bipartisan priority and praised survivor‑led efforts and prior congressional work, including congressional authorization tied to DHS’s Blue Campaign, that he said strengthened federal coordination.

Jonathan Thompson, executive director and chief executive officer of the National Sheriffs’ Association, testified that large events create predictable vulnerabilities—crowds, transient populations and chaotic…