Executive Summary
- Miami-Dade receives over $1 million from the state to fund the Human Trafficking Center.
- Funding aims to prepare law enforcement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other major events.
- Resources will support undercover operations and expanded enforcement efforts.
- Officials cite the correlation between large-scale tourism and increased risk of exploitation.
MIAMI-DADE — Miami-Dade County officials have secured more than $1 million in state funding to bolster human trafficking enforcement operations, anticipating a significant surge in illicit activity accompanying upcoming high-profile international events in 2026.
According to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the grant was presented by the Florida Attorney General to reinvigorate the county’s Human Trafficking Center. This financial injection is strategically timed to precede a series of major global gatherings, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the World Baseball Classic, and the Ultra Music Festival.
State Attorney Rundle emphasized the critical need for heightened vigilance as thousands of visitors descend upon South Florida. "We need to know the signs. We need everybody’s eyes and ears," Rundle stated, warning that while the community welcomes legitimate tourism, law enforcement must prepare for criminal elements seeking to exploit the influx of people.
The newly allocated funds are designated for expanding undercover operations and strengthening enforcement capabilities. Officials noted that funding for the Human Trafficking Center had previously dwindled, making this restoration essential for meeting the operational demands of the coming year. In addition to the enforcement boost, authorities have deployed informational kiosks throughout the county to encourage public reporting of suspected trafficking incidents.
Operational Readiness
The restoration of funding for the Human Trafficking Center represents a proactive shift in regional security strategy as South Florida prepares for a saturation of international visitors. By reinforcing investigative resources prior to mass-attendance events like the World Cup, authorities aim to dismantle trafficking networks that historically mobilize around major sporting and entertainment venues. This initiative highlights the dual challenge of managing economic tourism booms while mitigating the associated risks of organized exploitation crimes.
