Executive Summary
- USDOT awarded NJ Transit $50,000 to expand human trafficking awareness efforts before the 2026 World Cup.
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited the risk of trafficking increasing with the arrival of 6 million fans.
- The NJ Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill requiring anti-trafficking training for ride-share drivers.
- The awareness campaign involves collaboration between NJ Transit, the state Attorney General, and transit police.
NJ Transit has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to expand its human trafficking awareness campaign in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The funding aims to bolster detection and intervention efforts as the region prepares to host matches for the global tournament, which is expected to draw millions of visitors.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the award during a USDOT FIFA 2026 World Cup Summit in Washington, D.C. According to Secretary Duffy, the influx of an estimated 6 million soccer fans to the United States next summer necessitates heightened vigilance regarding human trafficking networks that often target large-scale international events. Duffy commended NJ Transit’s existing initiatives, stating, “NJ Transit’s team has gone above and beyond to make sure travelers understand the signs when someone is being trafficked.”
The agency’s campaign, originally launched in January in collaboration with the USDOT, the New Jersey Attorney General, and the NJ Transit Police, operates under the slogan, “Human trafficking isn’t always easy to spot.” The initiative focuses on educating commuters on how to recognize potential trafficking situations and providing resources for reporting suspicious activity. The additional funding is intended to increase the visibility of these resources during the lead-up to the World Cup finals.
In a related legislative development, the New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill requiring ride-share drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft to complete state-approved anti-human trafficking training. Sponsored by State Senators Vin Gopal and Troy Singleton, the legislation addresses concerns that increased demand for transportation during the World Cup could be exploited by traffickers unless proactive educational measures are implemented across the transit sector.
Major Event Security Protocols
The allocation of federal funds specifically for anti-trafficking measures underscores the complex security challenges associated with hosting mega-events like the World Cup. Beyond standard crowd control and counter-terrorism strategies, authorities are increasingly prioritizing the protection of vulnerable populations who may be exploited amidst the chaotic environment of international tourism. The coordination between federal agencies, state transportation departments, and legislative bodies indicates a shift toward a comprehensive, multi-layered defense strategy that relies heavily on public awareness and civilian reporting to augment law enforcement capabilities.
