Child Abduction, Trafficking Seminar at TAMIU July 9- 10

Law enforcement and other local criminal justice community members—lawyers, probation officers and child advocates—are encouraged to attend a free training event focused on child abductions and border security hosted by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).

The sessions start at 8 a.m., Tuesday, July 9 and conclude with table top exercises and a debrief Wednesday, July 10.

All sessions will meet in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 101.

“The training is important because it is designed to provide participants with current data on issues related to cross border child abductions, sex trafficking, child exploitation and victimization in the US – Mexican border region,” explained Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel, TAMIU associate professor and director, Criminal Justice Program.

Attendees will also participate in an international cross border child abduction tabletop exercise, which will enhance investigative strategies for responding to unique and challenging cases.

“Ultimately, the training aims to improve communication and collaboration among agencies in the United States and between the U.S. and México,” said Dr. San Miguel.

The agenda is as follows:

Tuesday, July 9

8 – 8:30 a.m.—Welcome and introductions

8:30 – 10 a.m.—Briefing on Mexican State and federal resources

10 a.m. – noon—Abductions and trafficking on the southern border

noon – 1:30 p.m.—Lunch (on your own)

1:30 – 3 pm.—Update on border security situation

3 -5 p.m.—State and federal resources for cross border abductions

Wednesday, July 10

8 a.m. – noon—Cross border abduction tabletop exercise

noon – 1:30 p.m.—Lunch (on your own)

1:30 – 3 p.m.—Debrief and lessons learned from tabletop exercises

3 – 3:30 p.m.—Evaluations and closing

Speakers for the event include Nelly Montelegrae, special prosecutor for crimes of violence against women and trafficking; Jim Walters, assistant chief of police, Southern Methodist University Police Department; Sam Allen, AMBER/Blue/Silver/Endangered Missing Persons Alert Program coordinator and Phil Keith, National Criminal Justice Training Center program administrator.

This training is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs.

Onsite registration will be available, but to register in advance, contact Jim Walters at 214.797.2971 or waltersj@fvtc.edu

For more information or to register, contact San Miguel at 956.326.2529 or csanmiguel@tamiu.edu

Additional information is also available on @txamiu on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and on the free Powered by TAMIU smartphone and tablet app tamiu.edu/mobile/apps

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu