King’s human trafficking task force meets in Cruces

Attorney General Gary King will be in Las Cruces on Wednesday for the first meeting of a task force whose aim will be developing legislation that would criminalize human trafficking in New Mexico.

Legislation that would do that, sponsored by Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, failed during this year’s session, in part, King said, because of conflicting information that confused lawmakers.

The task force will seek to clear up confusion and help create new legislation. It will also discuss services for victims of human trafficking and training for law enforcement in ways to recognize and deal with trafficking, which is on the rise in New Mexico.

“It is important for all interested parties to come together to craft a human trafficking bill that will have wide support and, therefore, stand a better chance of passing in the next legislative session,” King said.

The meeting is at 1 p.m. at the attorney general’s office in Las Cruces, located at 201 N. Church St.

Attending will be Garcia, a representative of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, and staffers for the U.S. attorney, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, El Paso’s trafficking task force, victim’s services providers and local and state law enforcement.