Research Symposium

BIO

As a double major in International Affairs and Economics, I aim to develop innovative policy strategies that strengthen public safety and promote long-term economic resilience. I am particularly passionate about researching and addressing some of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time, especially human trafficking, forced displacement, and economic inequality. Through my academic and professional career, I seek to understand the structural and economic conditions that allow these issues to persist. I hope to use this knowledge to inform evidence-based policy solutions and support organizations working to protect vulnerable populations, strengthen institutions, and promote sustainable development at both the local and international levels.

Invisible Chains: Human Trafficking of Foreign Nationals in Florida

Abstract

Many believe that slavery is a thing of the past. However, slavery continues to be perpetuated across the world today in the form of human trafficking. There are an estimated 27 million victims worldwide and hundreds of thousands in Florida alone. Florida’s substantial agricultural, hospitality, and tourism markets make the area particularly appealing to traffickers. They capitalize on the state's seasonal labor needs, transient population, and economic vulnerabilities. This project will particularly focus on foreign nationals, their specific relationship with domestic policy, and the various aspects that make them particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. By examining recent cases, conducting qualitative interviews, and identifying trends, this project will provide a comprehensive understanding of how domestic policy is intertwined with human trafficking. It seeks to address a gap in existing research by using qualitative data to examine the prevalence of human trafficking in Florida and specific conditions that make foreign nationals especially vulnerable. This methodology directly supports the project’s goals of raising public awareness, assessing policy effectiveness, and contributing to victim-centered prevention and intervention strategies. Overall, this project will analyze the multifaceted nature of human trafficking of foreign nationals in Florida by analyzing the international and domestic conditions that enable it and the local policies that sustain it.

Keywords: Human Trafficking, Immigration, Foreign Nationals